Stephenson Harwood advises Dr. Falk on acquisition of Kynos Therapeutics

Dr. Falk, a family-owned business with a global presence, has been developing and marketing medicines to treat a wide range of gastrointestinal disorders and hepatobiliary disorders for over 60 years; the company headquarters and research and development facilities are based in Freiburg, Germany, with additional manufacturing sites across Europe.

Kynos was founded as a spin-out of the University of Edinburgh and has been backed by investment from Epidarex Capital, IP Group, and Scottish Enterprise.  The acquisition will enhance Dr Falk's expansion into rare digestive and metabolic diseases and will enable Dr Falk to further explore the potential of the lead Kynos asset KNS366. KNS366 is a highly potent and selective first-in-class inhibitor of the enzyme kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO), and Dr Falk's research will initially focus on its potential in relation to acute pancreatitis.

The Stephenson Harwood team advised on all aspects of the transaction, including the drafting and negotiation of acquisition and related transaction documents, which involved extensive collaboration across a number of the firm's specialist teams. The successful completion of this complex, cross-border transaction further demonstrates the firm's ability to act as international counsel spanning multiple jurisdictions, while successfully leveraging the team's in-depth life sciences and healthcare industry knowledge.

Corporate finance partner Kristian Shearsby led the Stephenson Harwood team, supported by corporate associates Tom O'Connor and Karin Asai. The corporate finance group were further supported by a cross-practice team from the London office, including IP partner and head of life sciences Alexandra Pygall and IP associate Alice Routh, tax partner Shofiq Miah and managing associate Byul Han, and employment consultant Serena Foulkes and associate Eirini Haidemenos.