RIAA Barker Gillette advised International Investments II Limited (IIL), a Hong Kong-incorporated investment holding company and part of the Getz Group, on its successful acquisition of Novartis Pharma (Pakistan) Limited from Novartis AG and Novartis Pharma AG. The transaction represents one of the most significant developments in Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector in recent years.
Novartis Pakistan is a leading pharmaceutical company engaged in the manufacture, import, marketing, and distribution of medicines across a wide range of therapeutic classes. The acquisition strengthens IIL’s existing presence in Pakistan through its subsidiaries, Getz Pharma (Private) Limited and Scilife Pharma (Private) Limited. Getz Pharma is Pakistan’s largest branded generic pharmaceutical company, operating in over 45 countries with WHO-prequalified manufacturing facilities.
Our team supported the client throughout this complex, multi-faceted transaction. This included participating in the competitive bidding process, conducting comprehensive due diligence of the target, and negotiating, drafting, and finalising the Share Purchase Agreement and all ancillary documentation. We also secured the required regulatory consents, including approval from the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) under Section 11 of the Competition Act, 2010, and assisted with closing and the seamless transfer of management control.
The CCP’s Phase-I competition assessment examined potential overlaps in therapeutic classes including diabetes, anti-rheumatics, anti-epileptics, and cardiovascular agents. The Commission concluded that the Novartis Pakistan acquisition neither creates nor strengthens a dominant position in any relevant market and authorised the transaction under Section 31(1)(d)(i) of the Competition Act, 2010.
Bilal Shaukat, Managing Partner at RIAA Barker Gillette (Pakistan), commented: “This acquisition demonstrates our capability to advise on complex cross-border transactions in Pakistan’s pharmaceutical sector. The Novartis Pakistan acquisition required careful navigation of competitive bidding, regulatory approvals, and intricate commercial negotiations—reflecting the sophisticated counsel required in these transactions.”
Our team was led by Bilal Shaukat (Managing Partner – Pakistan) and included Rohaan Nasir (Senior Associate) and Ahsan Amir (Associate).
For advice on mergers and acquisitions in the pharmaceutical sector, please contact Bilal Shaukat.
This article is not legal advice; it provides information of general interest about current legal issues.
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RIAA Barker Gillette is Pakistan’s premier law firm, with an on-the-ground presence in four major cities in Pakistan: Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore and affiliated offices in Dubai (DIFC) and London.
The firm practices in all areas of corporate, commercial and dispute resolution law. Leading international legal directories consistently recognise the firm as a top-tier law firm in Pakistan.
RIAA Barker Gillette is the exclusive member firm in Pakistan for Lex Mundi, the world’s leading network of independent law firms with in-depth experience in over 125 countries worldwide.
