Walder Wyss: Boehringer Ingelheim acquires Saiba
Walder Wyss advised the shareholders of Saiba Animal Health in the sale of all shares to the biopharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim. With the acquisition, Boehringer Ingelheim strengthens its animal health research and development (R&D) pipeline, specifically in the fast-growing pet therapeutics category.
Walder Wyss team
The Walder Wyss team was led by M&A counsel Iliana Djagova (pictured above left), tax partner Maurus Winzap (oictured above center) and M&A partner Florian Gunz Niedermann (pictured above right) and further included Roger Staub (partner, IP), Felix Tuchschmid (associate, IP), Lucas Maurer (associate, M&A), Janine Corti (counsel, tax), Alice Vorburger (managing associate, M&A), Carmen Stetter (junior lawyer, M&A) and Luca Bohnenblust (junior lawyer, M&A).
About the acquisition
The acquisition follows several development and licensing collaborations between Boehringer Ingelheim and Saiba Animal Health. Those collaborations advanced multiple species-specific product candidates, based on Saiba Animal Health’s technology platform, aiming to improve the management of chronic diseases in companion animals. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Stifel acted as exclusive financial advisor to Saiba Animal Health for the transaction.
Dr. Gary T. Jennings (pictured left), CEO of Saiba Animal Health, commented on the acquisition, stating: “We are thrilled that our long-term partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim has evolved to this agreement. Joining forces will pave the way for a whole new class of therapeutic medicines for pets, with a true impact on the lives of animals and their owners.”
Saiba Animal Health
Saiba Animal Health is focused on the development of novel therapeutic medicines to address chronic diseases in pets using its innovative technology platform with its first-of-its-kind therapeutic vaccine approach designed to create an immune response, targeting chronic diseases such as allergy, inflammation and pain. he therapeutic vaccines incorporate virus-like particles to induce the animal’s immune system. They produce neutralizing antibodies against the animal’s own disease-causing proteins. This approach may result in a longer duration of action, better treatment outcomes, and increased pet owner convenience and compliance.
Boehringer Ingelheim
Boehringer Ingelheim is a biopharmaceutical company active in both human and animal health with more than 53,500 employees serving over 130 markets. The company focuses on developing innovative therapies in areas of high unmet medical need. Independent since its foundation in 1885, Boehringer takes a long-term perspective, embedding sustainability along the entire value chain.
