Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (HSF Kramer), Niederer Kraft Frey (NKF) and Gibson Dunn advised on DKSH’s acquisition of NewBridge Pharmaceuticals.
DKSH, a leading provider of market expansion services, has entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of NewBridge Pharmaceuticals for an enterprise value of US$390 million. NewBridge Pharmaceuticals is a Dubai-headquartered healthcare commercialisation platform focused on specialty and rare disease medicines in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), distributing pharmaceutical products across the Middle East and Africa.
The proposed transaction is an important step in DKSH’s strategy and will expand DKSH Healthcare into the MENA region, strengthening its capabilities across healthcare commercial outsourcing and life sciences services. The acquisition also advances DKSH Healthcare’s strategic roadmap to become a leading multi-regional, end-to-end outsourcing platform.
DKSH is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and operates across Asia Pacific, Europe and North America through its Business Units Healthcare, Consumer Goods, Performance Materials and Technology. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to complete during the first quarter of 2027.
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer advised DKSH on its acquisition of NewBridge Pharmaceuticals.
The team was led by Head of Middle East Corporate Chris Walters, supported by Head of Life Sciences Alan Montgomery, Corporate Partner Anna Szyndler, Senior Associates Nicola Halliday and Faria Ali, and Associate Alex Hamilton. The wider team included Veronica Roberts, Max Kaufman and Brigitte Samaha (Regulatory); Josh Lom, James Tryfonos and Isha Goel (Tax); Susannah Cogman, Eleanor Swift, Rebecca Critchley and Clare Wandless (Compliance); Frank Thompson and Thomas Eden (Insurance); and other team members from the firm’s Digital Legal Delivery team.
Niederer Kraft Frey (NKF) advised DKSH on its entry into an agreement to acquire 100% of NewBridge Pharmaceuticals.
The team was led by Corporate/M&A Partners Deirdre Ni Annrachain and Patrik Peyer and Financing Partner Philip Spoerlé, working with Associates Lorenzo Henseler and Leonard Reiter (both Financing).
Gibson Dunn advised on the sale of NewBridge Pharmaceuticals Limited to an affiliate of DKSH Holding Ltd, a SIX-listed entity.
The London corporate team was led by Partner Amar Madhani and Associate Joanne Hughes and included Associates Freddie Wright and Francesco Mancuso. Partner Ben Fryer advised on tax matters, and Partner Richard Surtees advised on employment and incentive matters. Ryan Murr and Branden Berns acted as relationship partners on the deal.
