May 21, 2004 – LAWFUEL – Allen & Overy is advising Celltech Group plc, the leading UK-based
biotechnology company, on the £1.53 billion recommended offer by Belgian
company UCB S.A., announced today.
The 550 pence per share cash deal will create a bio-pharmaceutical leader
in Europe, and one of the largest biopharmaceutical companies in the
world.
The Allen & Overy team is led by corporate partners David Wootton and Anna
Buscall, assisted by Alun Eynon-Evans. Daniel Epstein and Mandy DeFilippo
advised on US aspects.
Allen & Overy (corporate partner Colleen Keck) also advised Celltech on
its collaboration agreement with UCB relating to CDP 870, also announced
today.
Commenting on the transaction, David Wootton said:
“We worked closely with Celltech’s teams to help bring this transaction
together. Our longstanding relationship with Celltech, and knowledge of
Celltech’s business, was invaluable in the process. This will obviously be
an important transaction in the pharma/bio sector as biotechnology firms
strive for global reach.”
Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan are acting as financial advisers to Celltech.
For further information, please contact Claire Meeghan
>claire.meeghan@allenovery.com) in London on +44 (0) 20 7330 2395.
