Taylor Wessing advises on creation of global leader in innovative drug discovery

Taylor Wessing is advising SuperGen, Inc., a NASDAQ listed pharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel cancer therapies, on its £91 million cash and share acquisition of Astex Therapeutics Limited. The acquisition will be implemented by way of a scheme of arrangement and is subject to certain closing conditions, including regulatory and shareholder approvals.

The combined entity, to be named Astex Pharmaceuticals, Inc., is expected to be a global leader in innovative oncology drug discovery, development and commercialisation. 

The Taylor Wessing Team is being led by Corporate Partner William Belcher, and includes Senior Corporate Associate Lee Bagshaw, Tax Partner Peter Jackson, Incentives Partner Ann Casey, Competition Partner Robert Vidal and Competition Associate Louisa Penny.

US law firm Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati is advising SuperGen on the transaction as to Delaware law.

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Lawyers William Belcher, Lee Bagshaw, Peter Jackson, Ann Casey, Robert Vidal, Louisa Penny

Notes to editors

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Taylor Wessing LLP is a leading international law firm providing support for commercial organisations doing business in Europe, the Middle East and China.