Graf von Westphalen together with HHP Attorneys-At-Law has advised Lonza Group Ltd. ("Lonza"), one of the world's leading suppliers to the pharmaceutical, healthcare and life science industries based in Basel, Switzerland and listed on the Six Swiss Exchange, on the PRC legal aspects of its successful secondary listing on the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited ("SGX-ST"). Graf von Westphalen together with HHP Attorneys-At-Law acted as issuer's local legal counsel on PRC law, in particular, conducting legal due diligence on Lonza's subsidiary companies located in China and advising on the PRC regulatory environment.
The Graf von Westphalen team was lead by the head of our Shanghai office, Patrick Heid (Corporate/Capital Markets) and included associates Li Li (Corporate/Capital Markets - Shanghai), Kong Li (Corporate/Commercial - Shanghai) and Dr. Dunja Stadtmann (Corporate/Commercial - Munich/Shanghai).
Lonza is the global leader in the production and support of active pharmaceutical ingredients both chemically as well as biotechnologically. Lonza's product line encompasses chemicals, problem-solving solutions and services for a wide range of industries, including life sciences, human and animal nutrition, chemical, cosmetics and personal care, household, industrial and institutional cleaners, water treatment and wood preservation. Lonza has 27 production and R&D facilities throughout Asia, Europe and the United States.
In Asia, Lonza employs nearly one-fifth of its total workforce and generated 14% of its revenue as of the end of 2010. In total, Lonza has invested over CHF 1 billion over the last ten years in its Asian business. The Group set up its first facility in China in 1996 and has since expanded to seven manufacturing and R&D facilities in China, Singapore, India and Japan. Based on the closing market price of the company's shares quoted on the SIX Swiss Exchange on October 19, 2011, Lonza has a market capitalization of approximately CHF 2,982 million. With its secondary listing on the SGX-ST Lonza expects to enhance its corporate profile in Asia and to broaden its investor base in the region.
GvW Graf von Westphalen advised the transmission system operator 50Hertz on the award of a major contract for the North Sea Connector 2 offshore grid connection project. The project involves the planning, construction, installation and commissioning of a converter system comprising an offshore converter platform in the North Sea and an onshore converter station in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. The North Sea Connector 2 project is intended to connect offshore wind farms in the North Sea to the German electricity grid in future.
GvW Graf von Westphalen has advised Primepulse and Vsquared Ventures on the Series C financing round of NEURA Robotics GmbH. The transaction ranks among the largest venture financing rounds in the European startup ecosystem to date.
GvW Graf von Westphalen has advised Ethereal Space, Inc., a pioneering commercial space company, on space and satellite law matters and the establishment of its affiliate Ethereal Space GmbH.
You don't want to miss any more of the latest legal developments? And be invited to our events? Then register here.
