Niederer Kraft Frey advised Evolva Holding SA on the sale of its wholly-owned operating subsidiary Evolva AG to Danstar Ferment AG, a Swiss affiliate of Lallemand Inc.

Evolva is a listed Swiss biotech group focused on the research, development and commercialisation of ingredients based on nature. It has leading businesses in Flavors and Fragrances, Health Ingredients and Health Protection. Evolva’s employees are dedicated to make the best products that can contribute to health, wellness and sustainability.

Lallemand Inc. is a family-owned business headquartered in Canada whose focus is on the development, production, and marketing of yeasts, bacteria, fungi and enzyme solutions across the baking, food ingredients, human and animal nutrition and health, crop protection/nutrition, oenology, brewing, alcohol and biofuel sectors. Lallemand is present in more than 50 countries, operates more than 45 production plants and has circa 5,000 employees.

On 28 December 2023, upon the approval of Evolva shareholders, Evolva and Lallemand successfully closed the sale of Evolva AG, securing the best possible outcome for the company and its stakeholders. Following the sale of its operations, Evolva Holding SA will seek a delisting of its shares from SIX Swiss Stock Exchange and will commence a dissolution and liquidation of the company.

The NKF team was led by Corporate/M&A partners Philipp Haas and Deirdre Ní Annracháin, working with partner Roman Sturzenegger, senior associate Julia Tolstova, associates Paloma Alcántara and Thiago Claro (all Corporate/M&A) and partner Marcel Meier (Tax).