Cuatrecasas advises CUF on HPA Saúde deal approvals

Cuatrecasas provided legal advice to CUF in the process leading to the obtainment of the necessary regulatory approvals, in particular from the Portuguese Competition Authority (AdC), in connection with the acquisition of a 75% stake in Sociedade Hospital Particular do Algarve S.A. (Grupo HPA Saúde). The AdC’s non-opposition decision was announced last week and is accompanied by a set of commitments agreed between CUF and the regulator.

Following signing, Cuatrecasas conducted a due diligence exercise on the HPA Saúde group. At the same time, the transaction was notified to the AdC, a process that resulted in a decision by the regulator at the beginning of last week. The completion of this transaction allows CUF to enter regions where it previously had no presence, strengthening healthcare provision in those areas for the benefit of the local populations.

Founded in 1996 with the creation of Hospital Privado do Algarve in Alvor, Grupo HPA Saúde comprises five hospitals and seventeen clinics, with a strong presence in the south of Portugal, particularly in the Algarve and Alentejo regions, as well as in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.

The Cuatrecasas team involved in the transaction was coordinated by corporate and M&A lawyers Alexandra M. Martins and Luís Miguel Cortes Martins (both pictured), and included Mariana Brazão from the same practice area. At this stage, the advice provided by the European and Competition Law team was essential. This team was coordinated by Pedro Marques Bom and included Miguel Pena Machete, António Souto Moura and Mariana Fernandes Cerejo. The Pharmaceutical Law and Life Sciences team was also involved, coordinated by Joana Silveira Botelho and including Mafalda Maló Hipólito.