Case Studies

Advising Ohio Manufacturer in Investment from Florida Private Equity Firm

In April 2021, Kegler Brown acted as the legal advisor to Abrasive Technology in all aspects of its receipt of a private equity investment from Blue Sea Capital, a private equity firm based in West Palm Beach, that invests in growth-oriented lower-middle-market companies valued up to $250 million. Abrasive Technology, with more than 140 registered patents and trademarks, is a global leader in custom superabrasive grinding wheels and tools.

Sale of Kent Water Sports to Seawall Capital

The M+A team at Kegler Brown advised Kent Water Sports and its related entities in its December 2020 sale to Seawall Capital. Kent Water Sports, a platform of action sports brands with products spanning personal flotation devices, wakeboards, water skis, towable tubes, snowboards, and more, was advised by Kegler Brown on all aspects of the sale transaction to Seawall Capital, which is a middle-market private equity firm focused on making investments in companies with strong connections to their end consumers.

Indian Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Acquires Florida Plant

Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter assisted India-based Strides Pharma, Inc., in the acquisition of an FDA- approved manufacturing facility in Florida.

Located in Riviera Beach, Florida, it is the only FDA-approved facility in the U.S. to have integrated manufacturing-packaging capabilities for soft gel capsules.

Strides acquired the manufacturing facility under an asset purchase agreement with Micelle Biopharma, Inc. for a consideration of $0.5 million and will invest up to $10 million to build incremental capabilities and add additional dosage formats. With the addition of the Florida site, Strides now has eight formulation sites globally catering to the regulated and emerging markets.

Acquisition of U.S. Generics Company by Indian Pharmaceutical Manufacturer

Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter served as buy-side counsel for India-based Strides Pharma, Inc., in its acquisition of U.S.-based generics company Vensun Pharmaceuticals, Inc., represented by Goodwin Procter LLP.

Strides benefits from Vensun’s strategic focus on niche ANDAs, and its portfolio of 16 commercialized ANDAs, four of which are partnered with Strides and constitute a significant part of Vensun’s current revenues of $~17 million.

Vensun’s portfolio also comprises an additional 13 filed ANDAs, which includes Strides Competitive Generic Therapy (CGT) designated product with a $400 million market opportunity. The company also has a development pipeline with two other partners for ten products.

Acquisition of U.S.-Based IT Services Provider by Indian Software Firm

Kegler Brown Hill + Ritter recently served as buy-side counsel for Sonata Software, a leading global IT software services and solutions provider based in India, in its acquisition of U.S.-based Sopris Systems, a Microsoft Dynamics 365 Field Services partner.

Throughout this acquisition, our team provided guidance and due diligence to Sonata on issues including but not limited to tax, equity structuring, intellectual property, and employment and labor.

The acquisition will strengthen Sonata’s U.S. Dynamics footprint and expand the Dynamics 365 capabilities making Sonata one of the strongest and largest Dynamics 365 partners globally with depth of services and breadth of industries and IP.

University Cross-Border Technology Licensing + Export Compliance

Early in 2017, Kegler Brown represented a public university with their analysis of U.S. export control obligations related to entering into cross-border licensing agreements and the release of related technology.

Cross-Border Data Breach Response

Kegler Brown represented a large U.S.-based global payment processor in identifying the scope of and responding to cross-border data incidents and breaches. Our involvement included the preparation and review of key public-facing communications, analyzing contractual obligations and the assessment of all applicable cross-border regulatory obligations, including applicable breach notification requirements.

Creation of Anti-Corruption Policy for Multinational Company

Our firm’s global business team represented a multinational financial services firm in the development of its anti-corruption policy in 2016. Our involvement included the analysis of the organization’s cross-border operations and U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the UK Bribery Act, and India’s Prevention of Corruption Act.

Development of Iran Market Entry Plan for U.S. Client

Kegler Brown represented a U.S.-based company in the development and analysis of its Iran market entry strategy. Our involvement included the analysis of applicable sanctions on Iran and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Iran Sanctions and Export Compliance Analysis for University Client

In 2016, Our Globalization of Education lawyers assisted a private U.S.-based university with the analysis of regulatory obligations related to the transfer of information to and the provision of services in Iran. Our team provided guidance with U.S. export control self-classification processes and advice related to all U.S. Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls commodity jurisdiction requests, and U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security commodity classification requests.

Providing Strategic Counsel for a Global Online Payment Company

Led by Vinita Mehra, Kegler Brown has become outside general counsel to a large, international online payment processing company that operates in more than 196 countries. Our role involves a close partnership with the leadership team and advising on a comprehensive range of corporate and company governance issues. Projects for this client include assisting on key tax and regulatory issues in setting up operations in India for an online payment service, as well as managing the company’s comprehensive global IP portfolio.

India Lease Management for Global Clinical Services Company

In 2016, Kegler Brown advised a global healthcare + pharmaceutical research and services provider, and its international subsidiaries in India, on critical leases for property located in four different cities in India valued at several million dollars. Our lawyers managed the regulatory, tax and complicated contractual issues for each transaction and continue to assist and advise on ongoing operations in India, including but not limited to labor law, tax, regulatory, data protection and IP issues pertaining to its operations.

Cross-Border Data Transfer Compliance and Contractual Analysis for Global University

Members of Kegler Brown’s Globalization of Education team represented an Ireland-based private university in the analysis of legal and contractual obligations related to the cross-border transfer of information and the provision of services.

OFAC Strategy for Iranian Affiliates

A decedent’s estate desired to transfer assets into the embargoed country of Iran. An in-depth analysis of the Code of Federal Regulations ensued, specifically the prohibition existing in section 560.204. After much diligence, an exception was found and a transaction structured to appropriately allow for transfer of assets within the legal confines of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).