Travers Smith LLP has advised longstanding client Inflexion on its investment in Proteros Biostructures GmbH, a leading founder-led contract research organisation focused on early-stage drug discovery ("Proteros").
Munich-based Proteros is a specialist in structural biology and has created a cutting-edge platform recognised globally by both large pharma and biotechs as capable of unlocking the most technically challenging drug targets. Proteros supports many of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies and over 200 pharma and biotech partners in the US, Europe and Japan to reach the right results and accelerate their overall research timelines, helping them to lead optimisation and clinical programmes.
Inflexion's investment is being made by its dedicated minority investment fund, Partnership Capital II. Founder and CEO Dr. Torsten Neuefeind retains the majority shareholding in Proteros and will continue to lead the company. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to close in Q1 2023.
The Travers Smith team was led by Private Equity & Financial Sponsors Partner Tom Hartwright, with support from Senior Associate Eric Van Winssen and Associates Daniel Prexler (Secondee), Shannon Anstee, Katie O'Riordan and James Jankowski. Specialist tax advice was provided by Tax Partner Simon Skinner, with support from Senior Associate Kyle Rainsford and Associate Jessica Baker.
P+P Pöllath + Partners (led by Partner Jens Hörmann and counsel Tim Junginger) acted as German counsel for Inflexion. Hengeler Mueller (led by Partner Daniel Möritz) advised Proteros and its founder.
