State of Fribourg to acquire former animal health research sites

The State of Fribourg announced that it signed a purchase deed to acquire all properties of the former animal health research sites of Elanco Centre de Recherche Santé Animale SA (a subsidiary of Eli Lilly & Company). The acquired properties are located in the communes of Saint Aubin and Avenches (consisting of areas of 277,000 sqm located in the construction zone and 986,000 sqm of agricultural land) as well as in the commune of Marly (consisting of an area of 150,000 sqm in the construction zone). The completion of the acquisition is subject to various conditions, in particular, the approval by the State of Fribourg's parliament. 

Lenz & Staehelin advised the seller Eli Lilly & Company as Swiss counsel in this transaction. The team was led by partner Beat Kühni and included Fabiano Menghini, Livia Koller and Elia Schunck (all Real Estate, Corporate and M&A).