Munich—Global law firm Dentons advised all shareholders of leading German multiplex cytometry provider Zellkraftwerk GmbH on the sale of their shares to Canopy Biosciences, a leading provider of gene editing and gene expression products and services. The transaction creates a “multi-omics” company, which combines genomic expertise and cell and tissue analysis, strengthening the strategic position of both companies.

Zellkraftwerk is a biosciences company based in Leipzig, Germany, which provides cytometry of cells and tissues based on complete workflow solutions including sampling, analysis and data processing. Its product ZellScanner ONE is the first device able to analyse more than 100 markers per cell based on ChipCytometry technology. With cytometry, certain characteristics of cells, such as size, cell count shape and structure, can be measured.

Formed in 2016, Canopy Biosciences has built a comprehensive platform of products and services for gene editing, gene expression analysis and regulation, and bioprocessing. Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, the company is managed by scientists and PhD-holders Edward Weinstein and Crystal Winkeler.

A Dentons team led by Thomas Strassner advised the Zellkraftwerk shareholders comprehensively on all aspects of the transaction.

According to Jan Detmers, co-founder of Zellkraftwerk, there is a clear need for “multi-omic” approaches to biomarker discovery at the moment, and as part of Canopy Biosciences, Zellkraftwerk will have the resources to strategically expand and develop its position in the US, Europe and Asian markets. On Dentons’ role, Jan Detmers stated: “Dentons has been instrumental in successfully closing this transaction in a very short timeframe. We are very thankful for the highly professional support from Thomas Strassner and his team.”

Advisors to Zellkraftwerk GmbH:

Dentons (Munich/Frankfurt)

Corporate/M&A: Thomas Strassner (Lead Partner), Richard Fagerer (Partner, US Corporate), Christopher Mayston (Counsel), Guy Lotem (Senior Associate, US Corporate/M&A), Michael Singer (Associate, all Munich).

Tax: Michael Graf (Partner, Frankfurt), Dr. Andreas Berberich (Counsel, Munich).

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