Ipsen , a global biotechnology company headquartered in Paris, and Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, a Boston-based biotechnology company that is developing peptide therapeutics for metabolic diseases, announced recently that they entered into a license agreement for Ipsen’s proprietary processes . Under the terms of the agreement, Ipsen granted Rhythm an exclusive worldwide … [Read more...]
Doing Business in Peru. There's Never been a Better Time.
I just arrived back from Lima, Peru, where our firm has an office. I last visited about a year ago and I’m incredibly pleased with the level of development that has taken place since then. It seems everywhere you look, there is another building going up. We’re not talking a property bubble here folks. The growth taking place in Peru is real and it’s … [Read more...]
How to Structure an International Distribution Agreement.
Although I enjoy the day-today challenges of international litigation, I’m often called upon to structure international business deals. These are fun too, as I get an inside look at the business side of many different kinds of industries. Lately, I’ve seen a considerable increase in the number of distribution deals being forged. Distribution agreements are simply contracts to … [Read more...]
How to Volcano-Proof Your Global Supply Contract with a Force Majeure Clause
The recent eruption of the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano in Iceland sent shock waves across the global supply chain as the vital networks that move people, goods, and services around the globe were either incapacitated or severely disrupted. Corporate in-house counsel and risk analysts were left to question whether the collapse of the air-freight segment of the global … [Read more...]
IMF Raises Growth Forecast for China and India. Global Recovery Faster Than Expected
In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF indicated that the global economy will grow faster than expected-- at 4.2% this year. China’s growth is forecast at 10% 2010, with India also at a rapid 8.8 %. Sub-Saharan Africa has weathered the crisis well and its recovery is expected to be stronger than in previous global downturns. In the depth of the crisis last … [Read more...]
How to Draft an LLC Operating Agreement for Your International Business Venture
At its annual World Economic Outlook press conference recently, the International Monetary Fund announced that global economic growth was expected to increase for the first time in several years. This great news has sparked a flurry of activity in the launching of new international business ventures. Perhaps the most common form of new business that I'm seeing is the Limit … [Read more...]
Memorandum of Understanding and Letter of Intent: What's the Difference?
The Financial Times recently reported that Royal Dutch Shell, one of Europe’s largest energy groups, signed a memorandum of understanding to form a $12 Billion joint venture with Cosan, a large Brazilian sugar cane processor. What if the parties had signed a letter of intent? Does it make a difference? Probably not. It would generally mean that only one of the … [Read more...]
International Transactions: The Effect of Cultural Values on International Mergers & Acquisitions
Foreign mergers account for the majority of worldwide M&A activity. With the global economy on the rebound, cross-border M&A activity is expected to reach record levels. The numbers of cross-border deals currently in the works include: Indian personal care products maker Godrej Consumer Products Ltd is in talks with Argentina-based hair color products firm, … [Read more...]
Strong Outlook for Mergers & Acquisitions in Latin America
Brazil will lead mergers and acquisitions in Latin America I’m seeing a lot of M&A activity taking place in Latin America these days. According to Bloomberg New and Latina American Advisor, takeovers are at their strongest pace in a decade as the economy recovers and credit markets continue to improve. While most have the activity is taking place in Brazil and … [Read more...]
The BRICfast Club (Part III): China and Brazil Sign Trade and Investment Agreements at BRIC Summit
Oil and Steel Industries to Benefit This is the third in a series of posts dedicated to the BRIC countries. While the late John Hughes would have appreciated the titular tribute to his Breakfast Club classic, the series is meant to stimulate a robust discussion among those interested in the subject. For the uninitiated, BRIC is an acronym coined by Goldman Sachs to … [Read more...]