Jenoptik acquires Berliner Glas Medical and SwissOptic from Asml

Asml Holding has agreed to sell a 100% stake in BG Medical Applications, SwissOptic and SwissOptic Co., to Jenoptik. BG Medical Applications is a supplier of high-precision, custom optical components for the medical technology sector based in Berlin, Germany. SwissOptic is a specialist in the development and manufacturing of optical components and assemblies, primarily for the medical technology, semiconductor, and metrology industries headquartered in Heerbrugg, Switzerland.

“With this strategic acquisition we will strengthen our global and fast-growing photonics business by significantly expanding our already strong semiconductor equipment business, and, in particular, our highly attractive medical technology business,” says Stefan Traeger, president & ceo of Jenoptik.

Overall, Berliner Glas Medical and SwissOptic currently employ around 500 people worldwide. The transaction is still subject to approval from the German antitrust authorities. Closing is expected in December 2021.

The advisors

Homburger acted as legal counsel to Asml advising on all Swiss law aspects of the transaction. The Homburger team included partner Andreas Müller (corporate / m&a, technology and digital economy, pictured), associates Kevin Hubacher, Francesco Bernasconi and junior associate Joel Schmidt (all corporate / m&a), partner Richard Stäuber and associate Allegra Arnold (competition, regulatory), partner Luca Dal Molin and associate Gabriel Kasper (IP / IT, technology and digital economy), and counsel Peter Müller (tax, employment and executive compensation). Gleiss Lutz acted as transaction counsel to Asml.

Walder Wyss has advised Jenoptik on the Swiss law aspects of the transaction. The Walder Wyss team was led by Urs P. Gnos (partner, corporate/m&a, pictured) and Dario Galli (associate, corporate/m&a, pictured). The team also included Hans Rudolf Trüeb (partner, regulated markets, competition, technology & ip), Dominik Aerni (senior associate, corporate/m&a), Riccardo Brazerol (associate, real estate), Chiara Wirz (associate, employment), and Carmen Spichiger (associate, corporate/m&a).

White & Case acted as lead transaction counsel to Jenoptik.