International law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has advised the global pharmaceutical and chemical company Merck KGaA in connection with the disposal of its women’s health care and contraception business to Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Teva acquired all Théramex operations including 100% of the shares of Théramex S.A.M of Monaco and Théramex S.p.A. of Italy for a consideration of EUR 265 million. 

In addition, Merck will be eligible to receive certain performance-based milestone payments. Teva will have the distribution rights of Théramex products in certain countries including Spain and Brazil; Merck Serono will continue distributing Théramex products in certain other countries. 

The transaction closed on 5 January 2011. 

Partners Jean-Claude Cotoni (corporate, Paris) and Jochen Dieselhorst (IP/IT, Hamburg) led the Freshfields team, assisted by associates Thomas Rabain (corporate, Paris), Lutz Schreiber (IP/IT, Hamburg) and Franck Vacher (corporate, Paris). Maria Trabucchi (partner) and Jérôme Fabre (counsel) advised on antitrust-related matters and Emmanuel Bénard (partner) and Christel Cacioppo (associate) advised on employment-related matters (all Paris).