Osborne Clarke advises Schwabe Group on acquiring majority stake in Braineffect

Osborne Clarke has advised Schwabe Group on acquiring a majority stake in Braineffect, a provider of dietary supplements and functional foods.

Schwabe Group is a globally active, family-run corporate group involved in the research, development, manufacturing, and distribution of herbal and homeopathic medicines as well as dietary supplements. Founded in Leipzig in 1866, the corporate group has been globally active for over 150 years and currently employs around 4,000 people worldwide, including approximately 1,600 in Germany. The headquarters are located in Karlsruhe.

Braineffect develops dietary supplements and functional foods. Founded in 2016 by former athlete Fabian Foelsch, the Berlin-based company relies on scientifically-backed formulations with natural ingredients. In Germany, the products can be found in the company's own online shop as well as in dm and Budni stores.

Schwabe has now increased its existing shares in Braineffect and holds a two-thirds majority. In the medium term, Schwabe Group aims for a complete takeover of the Berlin start-up. Founder Fabian Foelsch will remain on board as Managing Director.

“This partnership is more than an acquisition – it is a statement for the future. We are expanding our target groups and looking beyond the traditional health market,” said Schwabe CEO Olaf Schwabe.

The Osborne Clarke team advising Schwabe, led by Till-Manuel Saur, comprised Fenja Striesow, Benedikt Hülsmann (all Corporate / VC), Dr Andrea Schmoll, Dr Martin Soppe, Dr Jonas Völkel, Louisa Hartig, Johanna Pervelz, Carolin Cramer (all IP), Dr Jens Wrede, Friedrich Matzen, Dr Dinh V. T. Phan (all Tax), Dr Marc Störing, Neil Simon-Weaver (both Data Protection), Thomas Schnabel, Maria Bibik (both Real Estate), Christoph Boeminghaus, Daniel Jeske (both Commercial), Adrian Schneider, Lucie Fassbender (both IT), Susanne Schricker, Manuel Schuster (both Merger Control), Kamissa Kruse, Anna Lehner (both Employment Law) and Laura Valeske (Legal Project Management).