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News & Insights

Dassault Systèmes’s Acquisition of Accelrys, Inc.

January 30, 2014

On January 30, 2014, Dassault Systèmes, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, the world leader in 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, and Accelrys, Inc., a leading provider of scientific innovation lifecycle management software for chemistry, biology and materials, announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement for Dassault Systèmes to acquire San Diego‑based Accelrys, Inc. Cravath represented Dassault Systèmes in connection with this transaction.

Under the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, Dassault Systèmes will make an all cash tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of Accelrys common stock at a price of US$12.50 per share, representing a fully diluted equity value for Accelrys of approximately US$750 million. Dassault Systèmes intends to acquire any shares of Accelrys not tendered into the tender offer, via a merger as soon as practicable after the closing of the tender offer.

The Cravath team included partners Andrew R. Thompson and George E. Zobitz and associate Alan G. Grinceri on M&A matters; partner Michael L. Schler and associate Rachel H. Kiwi on tax matters; partner Eric W. Hilfers and practice area attorney Michael Krasnovsky on executive compensation and benefits matters; practice area attorney Robin C. Landis on antitrust matters; and partner David J. Kappos and practice area attorney Anthony N. Magistrale on intellectual property matters. Matthew G. Jones and Ashley N. Hughes also worked on M&A matters and Michael C. Lucien Jr. also worked on executive compensation and benefits matters.

Related Practices & Industries

  • Corporate
  • Mergers and Acquisitions
  • Tax
  • Executive Compensation and Benefits
  • Antitrust
  • Intellectual Property
  • Antitrust
  • Intellectual Property Litigation
  • Technology

People

Name
George E. Zobitz
Title
Corporate
Title
Partner
Email
jzobitz@cravath.com
Phone
+1-212-474-1996
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    Education

    • J.D., 1995, New York University School of Law
      with Honors, cum laude
    • B.A., 1991, Franklin & Marshall College

    Admitted In

    • New York
    Photo
    Name
    Eric W. Hilfers
    Title
    Executive Compensation and Benefits
    Title
    Partner
    Email
    ehilfers@cravath.com
    Phone
    +1-212-474-1352
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      Education

      • J.D., 1998, University of Chicago Law School
        with Honors
      • A.B., 1995, Princeton University

      Admitted In

      • New York
      Photo
      Name
      David J. Kappos
      Title
      Corporate
      Title
      Partner
      Email
      dkappos@cravath.com
      Phone
      +1-212-474-1168
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        Education

        • J.D., 1990, University of California, Berkeley, School of Law
        • B.S., 1983, University of California, Davis
          summa cum laude

        Admitted In

        • New York
        • California
        • District of Columbia
        Photo
        Name
        Michael L. Schler
        Title
        Tax
        Title
        Retired Partner
        Email
        mschler@cravath.com
        Phone
        +1-212-474-9999
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          Education

          • LL.M., 1979, New York University
          • J.D., 1973, Yale Law School
          • B.A., 1970, Harvard University
            magna cum laude

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