News

BGPartner has successfully advised Lafayette Mittelstand Capital on its acquisition of the majority stake in Diametal Group, a global leader in high-precision cutting tools, super abrasives and wear parts. The transaction, effective as of January 1, 2025, marks a significant step in Diametal’s continued growth and international expansion.

Lafayette Mittelstand Capital is a private investment company specializing in medium-sized enterprises in Europe, with a strong focus on supporting businesses with substantial growth potential. By acquiring the majority of the stake in Diametal Group, Lafayette Mittelstand Capital aims to provide the company with the strategic support needed to further strengthen its market position and pursue new opportunities.

The BGPartner team advising Lafayette Mittelstand Capital was led by Dr. Alain P. Röthlisberger (Partner) and further consisted of David Dalla Vecchia (Senior Associate). Their comprehensive legal guidance covered all transaction-related matters, ensuring the smooth execution of the acquisition.

This acquisition reflects BGPartner’s strong expertise in complex M&A transactions within the industrial sector and underscores its position as a trusted legal advisor for private equity and corporate clients.

Windward Bio Group Ltd, a Swiss-based private, clinical-stage, drug development company successfully launched with a USD 200 m Series A financing from lead investors OrbiMed, Novo Holdings and Blue Owl Healthcare Opportunities, and co-investors SR One, Omega Funds, RTW Investments, Qiming Venture Partners, Quan Capital and Pivotal bioVenture Partners. 

Windward Bio Group Ltd committed to improving outcomes for people living with advanced immunological diseases. Proceeds from the financing will be used to develop a phase 2-ready, long-acting anti-TSLP antibody with potential in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

BGPartner advised OrbiMed and Novo Holdings on all Swiss legal matters and the negotiations of this Series A financing round. The team consisted of Oliver Gnehm (Partner), Victoria Marty (Senior Associate) and Tessa Douma (Associate).

Numab Therapeutics Ltd, a Swiss clinical-stage biotech company advancing a proprietary pipeline of multi-specific antibodies in inflammation and oncology, has successfully closed a Series C Top-up financing, raising an additional CHF 50 mio. This increases the total funding for this round to a remarkable CHF 180 mio. 

This financing was made possible through additional investments from Forbion, Novo Holdings, HBM Healthcare Investments and Cormorant Asset Management as co-lead investors. Other existing investors such as BVF Partners L.P., Octagon Capital Advisors LP, RTW Investments, and funds and accounts managed by BlackRock joined the round.

BGPartner advised Forbion, Novo Holdings and HBM Healthcare Investments on all Swiss legal matters and the negotiations of this Series C Top-up, the initial Series C round and the Series C Extension. The team consisted of Oliver Gnehm (Partner), Victoria Marty (Senior Associate) and Tessa Douma (Associate).

Noema Pharma Ltd, a Swiss clinical-stage biotech company advancing treatments for debilitating central nervous system (CNS) disorders, has successfully closed a Series B extension, raising an additional $27 million. This brings the total funding in this round to an impressive $147 million. 

This extension was made possible through additional investment from EQT Life Sciences and continued backing support from Forbion, Jeito Capital and other leading investors. 

The financing will support Noema Pharma Ltd to advance four active Phase 2 trials targeting severe pain in trigeminal neuralgia and seizures in tuberous sclerosis complex, Tourette syndrome and childhood-onset fluency disorder. 

BGPartner advised EQT, Forbion and Jeito on all Swiss legal matters and the negotiations of this Series B extension and the initial Series B round. The team consisted of Oliver Gnehm (Partner), Victoria Marty (Senior Associate) and Tessa Douma (Associate).

BGPartner – Mastering Law and Negotiation

What an achievement!

Tessa Douma and Thomas Gysin from BGPartner, together with the team from Deutsche Bank, claimed the title of World Negotiation Champions at this year’s Negotiation Challenge by The Negotiation Center. 

In the prestigious Negotiation Challenge, Tessa and Thomas triumphed over a strong field of international participants. This Challenge gathers the world’s top negotiators to test their skills in realistic negotiation scenarios and develop innovative strategies. 

How did the Challenge work?
All registered teams went through four rounds, with the final round negotiations assessed by an international panel of experts.

What do participants gain from the Challenge?
Participants have the opportunity to refine and test their negotiation skills and benefit from feedback from seasoned negotiation experts.

What was the key to their success?
BGPartner’s attorneys demonstrated strategic thinking, clear focus, and impressive teamwork. They devised creative solutions that channeled even complex conflicts into constructive outcomes.

What does this victory signify?
This title is not only a personal success for Tessa Douma and Thomas Gysin but also underscores BGPartner’s expertise in negotiation and conflict resolution. As world negotiation champions, they will bring this expertise further to bear in their client work. 

Congratulations to Tessa and Thomas on this remarkable accomplishment!