The international law firm Greenberg Traurig Maher LLP represented AstraZeneca, the global biopharmaceutical company, in its agreement to sell its Astra Tech business to DENTSPLY International Inc. for approximately USD$1.8 billion in cash.

Astra Tech, headquartered in Mölndal, Sweden, is a global leader in dental and healthcare (urological and surgical) products, services and support. In 2010, Astra Tech recorded worldwide revenue of $535 million and normalised EBITDA of $105 million. DENTSPLY International Inc. designs, manufactures and markets professional dental products. A closing is expected during the second half of 2011, subject to receipt of relevant regulatory clearances. 

The Greenberg Traurig Maher team, lead by Paul Maher and Fiona Adams, worked closely with AstraZeneca Senior Counsel Adam McArthur. Maher is the Chairman of Greenberg Traurig Maher’s London office. Adams is Co-Managing Shareholder of the office. Both are members of the firm’s Corporate and Securities Practice Group. They were supported by Kate Eades, Ewan Robertson, Robert Carlon and Eon de Quelen (Corporate and Securities); Justin Hamer (Tax); Stephen Tupper and Simon Harms (Antitrust). 

“Our capacity to deliver streamlined quality legal services to Adam and his team at AstraZeneca was critical to the deal. This was a fast-paced transaction run as a competitive process with multiple bidders and we are excited to have been able to assist,” said Maher, who is Co-Chairman of the firm’s Global Mergers & Acquisitions Group and a recognised leader in corporate law. In its 2010 edition, Chambers UK stated that Paul “is renowned as one of the toughest negotiators in the corporate market.” 

Greenberg Traurig Maher LLP, established in 2009 in the UK by the international law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP, is routinely chosen to handle critical M&A matters in a diverse range of international and domestic companies and financial institutions.