Piper Alderman advises Shareholders of Microbiogen on sale to Novonesis

Piper Alderman is pleased to have advised Microbiogen Pty Ltd (Microbiogen) and the selling shareholders on the sale of shares in Microbiogen to Novonesis, a global biosolutions company.

Microbiogen is a biotechnology company with leading scientific expertise in yeast strains for industrial applications and a proven track record in bioethanol.

The acquisition brings Microbiogen under the full ownership of Novonesis, a shareholder since 2013, consolidating a long-standing collaboration in advanced yeast solutions for bioethanol production.

Piper Alderman’s role included advising Microbiogen and the Sellers’ Representative on the negotiation of the transaction documents and the ACCC notification process.

Partner Lis Boyce led the engagement, building on her long-term relationship with the company and bringing deep sector expertise in biotechnology M&A.

Lis was supported on the deal by Senior Associate Tom Kaldis (Corporate), together with David Starkoff (Competition), Megan Bishop and Belinda Spence (Tax), Ben Motro (Employment), Jamin Li (Intellectual Property & Technology), and Benjamin Maltman (Corporate).

Lis commented:

”Having first worked with Microbiogen on Novonesis’ investment in 2013 and on their various collaborations with Novonesis in the following years, I was delighted to lead the team advising the company and its selling shareholders on this key liquidity event which demonstrates the value that the Microbiogen team have built over time”.

Following completion of the deal, Microbiogen Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Geoff Bell had the following to say about working with Piper Alderman.

“For more than a decade, Microbiogen has relied on the expertise of Lis Boyce, and more recently the team at Piper Alderman, to help structure and manage key agreements and strategic collaborations that support long-term growth and shareholder value. Lis and her team also played a pivotal role in supporting the company, exiting founders and long-time shareholders through the Novonesis due diligence and sale negotiation process, providing invaluable legal guidance throughout this important transaction.”

This matter further demonstrates Piper Alderman’s leading capability in acting on significant and complex corporate and M&A transactions, particularly those supporting cross-border investment in Australian technology and life sciences companies.