DLA Piper advises Virbac on acquisition of innovative feline drug from Norbrook

DLA Piper has advised Virbac, a French pharmaceutical laboratory dedicated to animal health, on the successful closing of the acquisition from Norbrook of an innovative drug to stabilize feline hyperthyroidism, a common endocrine disease causing a metabolic imbalance which may be fatal if not diagnosed and managed in time. This affects over 10% of older cats.

Virbac intends to distribute the treatment directly under the Thyronorm brand in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, and under the Felanorm brand in the United States. In Europe, distribution will continue to be managed by Boehringer Ingelheim and Elanco (in Germany) before being gradually taken over by Virbac.

The transaction, valued at around GBP100 million, is aligned with Virbac’s strategy to invest in sustainable growth and position itself as the partner of choice for companies developing innovative solutions in animal health.

The DLA Piper team was led by Corporate partner Sonia de Kondserovsky and was supported by counsel Virginie Julien and associate Agnès Delfosse (Corporate, France), counsel Marion Abecassis (contracts and regulatory, France), partner Raphaël Bera and associate Menad Benseghir (both Tax, France), partner Victoria Rhodes and senior associate Sophie Mills (both Corporate, UK), partner Satnam Sahota (IPT, UK), and legal director Taryn Jones (Lit&Reg, UK).