Andrew L. Bab and Kevin A. Rinker, co-heads of the Healthcare Group at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, are the editors of the just-published third edition of Health Care Mergers and Acquisitions Answer Book 2016 (Practising Law Institute, 2016). The book, organized in an easy-to-read, question-and-answer format, is an extensive reference guide addressing a wide spectrum of topics in healthcare M&A, including structuring, negotiation, regulatory issues, due diligence and documentation.

Whether they involve pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, medical device manufacturers, hospitals, physician practices, insurance companies or other industry participants, healthcare M&A transactions occur in a complex and highly regulated setting. Health Care Mergers and Acquisitions Answer Book 2016 is written for lawyers and other professionals working on these deals, such as private equity deal professionals, industry executives, accountants and investment bankers.

Providing a detailed overview of healthcare M&A, the book includes practical advice on how to address the various industry-specific issues arising in these acquisitions, as well as recent developments. Updates for the 2016 edition include:

• A new chapter on Healthcare M&A Transactions in England, which highlights how the public system’s evolution is providing opportunities for deal-making.
• A new chapter on Healthcare M&A Transactions in Canada, exploring how Canada’s complex and highly regulated environment means dealmakers must take into account the impact of bulk sales laws, anti-spam laws, product liability concerns and anti-corruption statutes.
• A fresh look at a wide range of key questions, including:
• How have tax-motivated inversion transactions—which frequently involve U.S. pharmaceutical companies—been made more difficult by the April 2016 Anti-Inversion Regulations?
• What is involved in transferring a 501(k) clearance on a medical device?
• How is transaction insurance useful in healthcare acquisitions?
• Under the latest DOJ and SEC enforcement policies, how does the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act impact the healthcare industry?

Debevoise lawyers, many of whom are contributors to the guide, have substantial experience in transactional, litigation and enforcement matters affecting the global healthcare industry. The firm’s transactional team regularly handles a variety of matters for leading healthcare and life sciences companies and private equity firms investing in these sectors, from cross-border M&A to complex securities offerings to significant licensing, development and collaboration agreements. Debevoise’s litigation and enforcement lawyers also have broad experience in the healthcare space, including bet-the-company litigation, trials, arbitration proceedings, government and internal investigations, healthcare compliance matters, transaction due diligence, complex civil matters, intellectual property and advertising disputes and international dispute resolution.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a premier law firm with market-leading practices, a global perspective and strong New York roots. We deliver effective solutions to our clients’ most important legal challenges, applying clear commercial judgment and a distinctively collaborative approach.