Latham & Watkins Advises Kate Farms in Acquisition of Majority Stake by Danone

Danone announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a majority stake in Kate Farms, a fast-growing US business offering a wide array of plant-based, organic nutrition products for both medical and everyday needs. Kate Farms’ highly complementary products will enhance Danone’s specialized nutrition offerings. Following the closing of the transaction, Kate Farms’ Chief Executive Officer, Brett Matthews, will serve as chairman and chief executive officer of Danone’s North American medical nutrition business. Kate Farms’ senior management will retain a minority stake in the combined business. The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval.

Latham & Watkins LLP represents Kate Farms in the transaction with a corporate deal team led by Boston partner Evan Smith and associate Pat Argenio, with associates Sally Gu, Gabrielle Carusello, and Joseph Donoso. Advice was also provided on intellectual property matters by New York partner Pelin Serpin, with associate Victoria Allen; on data privacy matters by Bay Area partner Heather Deixler, with associate Ryleigh Chen; on compensation and benefits matters by Boston partner Josh Friedman, with associates Anne Bracaglia and Imara Joroff; on labor and employment matters by Chicago counsel Laura Waller, with associate Jocelyn Wexler; on tax matters by Chicago partner Rene de Vera; on healthcare regulatory matters by Washington, D.C. partner Elizabeth Richards and Washington, D.C. counsel Nicole Liffrig Molife, with associates Meryl Bartlett, Danielle Scheer, and Maya Frost-Belansky; and on antitrust matters by Bay Area partner Joshua Holian, Washington, D.C. partner Patrick English, and New York/Washington, D.C. counsel Jamie Sadler, with associates Rebecca Frumento and Luisa Gomez.