October 13, 2020
Willkie represents IK Investment Partners on the contemplated acquisition of Kersia, a global leader in biosecurity and food safety, from Ardian; and the contemplated sale of Questel, a leader in IP management solutions, to Eurazeo.
On October 12, Willkie client IK Investment Partners, through its IK IX Fund, announced that it had entered into exclusive negotiations with Ardian to acquire a majority stake in Kersia, a global leader in biosecurity and food safety. Kersia, which has revenues in excess of €300 million, operates in more than 120 countries and has a workforce of over 1,500 people.
Willkie is also representing IK Investment Partners and RAISE Investissement in the sale of Questel, a major worldwide technology player in the area of intellectual property management, to Eurazeo. Questel develops both SaaS solutions and added-value services focused on patents, designs and trademarks. Willkie previously advised IK Investment Partners on the acquisition of Questel in 2018.
The multidisciplinary Willkie deal team on the IK/Kerisa transaction is led by corporate partners Eduardo Fernandez and Grégory de Saxcé and includes special European counsel Jeffrey Fouts (corporate); partner Faustine Viala (antitrust); and special European counsel Charles-Antoine Erignac (regulatory).
The Willkie deal team on the IK/Questel/Eurazeo transaction is led by corporate partners Eduardo Fernandez and Grégory de Saxcé and includes partner Paul Lombard (finance); partner Faustine Viala (antitrust); special European counsel Charles-Antoine Erignac (regulatory); and partner David Mortlock (US regulatory).
