Skip to content

  • Home
  • COVID-19 Guide
  • COVID-19 AV library
  • Client results
  • Expertise
  • News & Insights
  • People
  • Our DNA
  • Inclusion and Diversity
  • Join us
  • Contact Us
Home / Client results / Viralytics Limited

Client results

Viralytics Limited
Sale of Australian oncology firm to MSD

McCullough Robertson has advised on the transaction that represents the greatest sum ever offered for a local drug developer in the commercial history of Australian biotech.

The firm advised Viralytics Limited on its acquisition by Merck & Co., known as Merck Sharp and Dohme (MSD) outside of North America.

Viralytics is an Australian publicly traded company focused on oncolytic immunotherapy treatments for a range of cancers. The proposed acquisition values the total issues shares in Viralytics at approximately AUD 502 million.

On completion of the transaction, Viralytics will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of MSD, gaining full rights to CAVATAK®. CAVATAK is based on Viralytics’ proprietary formulation of an oncolytic virus that has been shown to preferentially infect and kill cancer cells.

McCullough Robertson has acted for Viralytics Limited since 2004. This transaction will be one of the largest in the Australian biotech industry and ultimately maximises the prospects of getting this life-saving drug approved and available for treatment. The announcement received global coverage.

The transaction was led by Partners Reece Walker,  and Ben Wood and Senior Associate Naomi Omundson. With expert support provided by Partners Duncan Bedford and Belinda Breakspear,

Related services and sectors

Corporate Advisory and Governance
Mergers & Acquisitions
Technology, media & telecommunications

Project team

  • Reece Walker, Chair of Partners
  • Duncan Bedford, Partner
  • Belinda Breakspear, Partner
  • Ben Wood, Partner
  • Naomi Omundson, Senior Associate

BRISBANE

Level 11, 66 Eagle Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
GPO Box 1855
Brisbane QLD 4001
Tel +61 7 3233 8888
Fax +61 7 3229 9949

 

GET IN TOUCH

    Contact form

    We handle your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy.

    sydney

    Level 32, MLC Centre
    19 Martin Place
    Sydney NSW 2000
    GPO Box 462
    Sydney NSW 2001

    Tel +61 2 8241 5600
    Fax +61 2 8241 5699

     

    GET IN TOUCH

      Contact form


      We handle your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy.

      melbourne

      Level 27, 101 Collins Street
      Melbourne VIC 3000
      GPO Box 2924
      Melbourne VIC 3001

      Tel +61 3 9067 3100
      Fax +61 3 9067 3199

       

      GET IN TOUCH

        Contact form

        We handle your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy.

        follow us

        CLIENT LOGIN

        newcastle

        Level 2, 16 Telford Street
        Newcastle NSW 2300
        PO Box 394
        Newcastle NSW 2300

        Tel +61 2 4914 6900
        Fax +61 2 4914 6999

         

        GET IN TOUCH

          Contact form


          We handle your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy.

          canberra

          Level 9, 2 Phillip Law Street
          Canberra ACT 2601

          Tel +61 2 6243 3699
          Fax +61 2 8241 5699

           

          GET IN TOUCH

            Contact form


            We handle your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy.

            © 2017 McCullough Robertson. Site map Disclaimer Privacy Policy Credit Reporting Policy

            X