Pioneering merger of drugs research companies succeeds with Thomson Geer’s advice

The firm developed two schemes of arrangement to wed the two companies that demerged in 2015

Pioneering merger of drugs research companies succeeds with Thomson Geer’s advice
Thomson Geer has helped two previously demerged drug research companies merge in a pioneering deal.

The firm advised on the $130m merger of the QBiotics Group, the first instance in Australia that two schemes were simultaneously proposed to merge two companies to a company group. The Federal Court’s approved the schemes at the end of July.

The deal involved the union of QBiotics Limited and EcoBiotics Limited with a new holding company called QBiotics Group Limited. EcoBiotics, which was founded in 2000 to research new drugs from the rainforests of north Queensland, established QBiotics in 2004 to focus on the development and commercialisation of a drug named EBC-46.

EBC-46 is being researched as a potential new treatment for certain cancers. It is derived from the seeds of the rainforest blushwood tree, which is endemic to north Queensland.

Thomson Geer said that lawyers from its Brisbane and Sydney offices were involved in the merger.

The firm’s Brisbane team was led by partners Roberta Bozzoli and Philip Byrnes. The team, which included partner Sylvia Fernandez, senior associate Nick Riordan, and lawyers Tom Honeywill and Danielle Stone, advised QBiotics Group Limited and QBiotics Limited on the implementation of the QBiotics Limited scheme.

The Sydney team, which included partners Dan Kramer and Ebru Davidson and special Counsel Sanushka Seomangal, advised EcoBiotics Limited on the EcoBiotics Limited scheme.


Related stories:
Partner returns after 17 years
Aussie team advises on major anti-cancer drug royalty deal

Recent articles & video

Disbarred lawyer convicted of fraud amounting to tens of millions of US dollars

Ex-candidate for New York City's top legal post discloses arbitration with Gibson Dunn

US District Court awards over US$200,000 in legal fees to Volkswagen in patent suit found frivolous

Illinois court reviews electronic device policy, orders judge to take training

Association of Corporate Counsel releases career advancement toolkit for in-house lawyers

KWM coaches Apollo Global Management on block trade of Challenger shares

Most Read Articles

Allied Grain Systems founders ink sale to Mitchells Group with help from Lander & Rogers

Blackstone lands AirTrunk in watershed $24bn deal

White-collar defence lawyer joins Corrs partnership

Morgan & Morgan seeks to dismiss personal injury lawyer's suit alleging advertising claims