Osborne Clarke advises Invicro on acquisition of Imanova

International legal practice Osborne Clarke has advised leading US-based imaging services company inviCRO, LLC (Invicro) on its acquisition of Imanova Limited, creating a global provider of imaging services and analytics across the entire drug development pipeline.

Founded in 2011 through a unique joint venture between the MRC, Imperial College London, Kings College London and University College London, Imanova is a world leader in the development of novel imaging biomarkers and analysis techniques and their application in clinical academic research and translational drug development.

Invicro’s acquisition of Imanova will secure over 90 high-tech jobs at the London imaging centre, and will provide substantial inward investment for UK science. Invicro will expand biomarker R&D and broaden the range of imaging services available from the London site by employing expertise in bio-analytics and data management.  Invicro will also build on Imanova’s existing collaborations with UK academia.

Janita Good, Partner and Head of the life science and healthcare sector at Osborne Clarke, commented: “The UK is at the forefront of innovation in the drug development. It’s a very exciting market to enter for ambitious companies like Invicro, whose leadership team has grown the company organically with a focus on providing innovation and solutions to drug discovery and development.”

The Osborne Clarke life science and healthcare sector team that advised on the transaction was led by key client Partner, Dr Janita Good, who was assisted by Associate Elinor Owen.  Advice was provided on tax matters by Partner Erika Jupe, commercial by Associate David Beynon and on employment by Associate Rachael Oakley.

Osborne Clarke’s life science and healthcare sector team has a strong track record of providing highly sophisticated advice to biotech clients on cutting-edge issues, across multiple service lines. They work with the biggest pharma and medical devices companies in the market and earlier this year, advised generic pharmaceutical company Actavis UK Limited and Actavis Ireland Limited on its £603m divestment by Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (“Teva”) to Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd (“Intas”) pursuant to commitments given to the EU. The transaction called on a wide range of Osborne Clarke specialists to advise on competition and corporate to patent litigation and regulatory matters.