DLA Piper advises Pierre Fabre Laboratories on acquisition of Switzerland-based Vertical Bio AG

DLA Piper have advised Pierre Fabre Laboratories on the acquisition of Vertical Bio AG, a Swiss company specialised in the development of novel cancer therapies.

Founded by Versant Ventures and launched by Ridgeline, the company's discovery engine, Vertical Bio AG leverages Ridgeline's biological capabilities to develop a monoclonal antibody with an innovative and differentiated mechanism of action. This acts as a degrader of the c-MET receptor (VERT-002) and the target is a disease accelerator in patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) with MET receptor mutations or amplifications. Vertical Bio AG has submitted VERT-002 for preclinical studies and an IND application. The first human studies are expected to begin in 2024.

The acquisition allows Pierre Fabre Laboratories to strengthen their precision oncology research and development (R&D) portfolio, with a drug candidate that is poised to enter clinical development. Pierre Favre Laboratories is a leading French medical and beauty care company with over four decades of experience in innovation, development, manufacturing, and commercialisation in oncology.

A team from DLA Piper’s Paris office worked on the transaction and was led by partners Sonia de Kondserovsky (Corporate), Raphaël Bera (Tax), and Frank Valentin (IPT). They were supported by counsels Virginie Julien and Thomas Guillier, senior associates Marion Abecassis and Cédric Meiller and associate Marion de Galembert.