Orrick Hölters & Elsing announced today that its client, Alliance Boots, has acquired a 90% stake in Megapharm GmbH, a specialised German distributor of oncology products. The acquisition, which has recently been approved by EU competition regulators, will enable Alliance Boots to enhance its position in the specialty drugs sector. Based in Sankt Augustin, near Bonn, Megapharm provides a range of specialised wholesaling and logistics services for oncology products. It is the only wholesaler in Germany to supply the full range of oncology drugs. The revenue for Megapharm for the year ended 31 March 2008 was approximately £235 million.

Within Alliance Boots, the new business will become part of the Pharmaceutical Wholesale Division. A 10% stake in Megapharm will be held by Dr. Matthias Ackermann, its current Chief Executive, who will continue to lead the business.

Alliance Boots was assisted by Orrick Hölters & Elsing Partners Dr. Stefan Weinheimer as lead counsel, Konstantin Heitmann (both Corporate & M&A), Dr. Andrés Martin-Ehlers (Cartel Law) and Dr. Christoph F. Wetzler (Finance). The matters of the shares in Megapharm GmbH were represented by Dr. Gerhard Lang and Dr. Daniel Wiegand of Hengeler Müller in Munich. Regarding the retain stake, Dr. Matthias Ackermann was advised by Dr. Martin Lohse.

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