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Matthew Appleton

Partner

Email

matthew.appleton@aoshearman.com

Phone

+44 20 3088 3340

Offices

London

V-CARD
Matthew is Life Sciences Sector Lead and has a particular focus on the Healthcare/Life Sciences and Consumer & Retail sectors.

He has significant experience advising clients on a wide variety of matters, including private M&A, joint ventures, public takeovers, restructurings and listing requirements.

Matthew has specific expertise in highly complex cross-border M&A transactions. He regularly advises clients on M&A auction processes, executing successful transactions both for sellers and for buyers. 

Experience

Representative matters

  • Asahi Group on its USD11.3bn acquisition of Carlton & United Breweries, the Australian arm of Anheuser-Busch InBev; its EUR7.30bn acquisition of the Central & Eastern European business of SABMiller by way of auction; and its EUR2.55bn acquisition of Peroni, Grolsch and Meantime by way of auction.
  • GlaxoSmithKline on numerous transactions including its EUR150m investment into, and strategic collaboration with, German biotech company CureVac for the research, development and commercialisation of mRNA-based vaccines and monoclonal antibodies targeting infectious diseases on various disposals of prescription and consumer healthcare products by way of auction; and on the GBP1.35bn disposal of its nutritional drinks brands, Lucozade and Ribena, to Suntory Beverage & Food, the Japanese consumer goods company. Shionogi on a range of transactions including its strategic collaboration with F2G to develop and commercialize a new antifungal agent, 'Olorofim' for invasive fungal infections in Europe and Asia; and on its strategic collaboration and joint venture with Apnimed to develop therapies for obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep disorders.
  • Grünenthal on multiple transactions, including its USD922m acquisition from AstraZeneca of prescription products Nexium in Europe and Vimovo worldwide (excluding the U.S. and Japan; its acquisition of the European rights to the prescription product Crestor from AstraZeneca for up to USD350m; and its acquisition of the global rights to the migraine medication, Zomig, from AstraZeneca for a total consideration of up to USD302m.
  • Life Healthcare on its GBP910m sale of Alliance Medical Group to iCON Infrastructure; and on its prior GBP600m acquisition of Alliance Medical Group by way of auction.
  • BTG on its GBP3.3bn takeover offer by Boston Scientific.
  • Haleon on its GBP235m divestment of Lamisil to Karo Healthcare; and its sale of Chapstick to Suave Brands, a portfolio company of Yellow Wood Partners, for an aggregate consideration of USD510m.
  • Kyowa Kirin International on its joint venture collaboration with Grünenthal in respect of KKI's established medicines portfolio.
  • Reckitt on various transactions including the sale of its E45 brand and related sub-brands to Karo Pharma for an implied enterprise value of GBP200m.
  • Castore, a leading premium performance sportswear brand and technology-enabled, end-to-end digital platform for global sports teams, on its GBP145m investment from The Raine Group, Hanaco Ventures and Felix Capital to fund future growth.
  • NNS Group on its investment into and acquisition of English Championship football club Aston Villa, alongside Wes Edens.
  • Tesco on the GBP181m sale of its Polish business to Salling Group and additional divestments of its Polish store estate.
  • SSL International on its recommended public takeover by Reckitt Benckiser for GBP2.54bn.
  • Tullett Prebon on its GPB1.4bn reverse takeover, carve-out acquisition of ICAP's global hybrid broking and information business and related issuance of consideration shares and readmission to the LSE.
  • TUI AG on its all-share merger with TUI Travel and related admission to the LSE.

 

Recognition

“Pragmatic legal advice tailored to international environment with considerable industry expertise. Matthew Appleton is focusing specifically on what really matters for the business of his client far beyond legal expertise”
Legal 500, UK, 2021 (M&A Upper Mid-Market and Premium Deals)

Qualifications

Admissions

Admitted as solicitor, England and Wales, 2009.

Academic

BA, Law, Magdalene College, Cambridge University, 2005.
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.