Overview
McDermott Will & Schulte has advised Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (“GBL”) in connection with its strategic investment in Rayner, a leading ophthalmic MedTech specialist.
GBL has signed definitive agreements to acquire a 45% co‑control stake in Rayner. Under the transaction, GBL will invest €0.5 billion of equity alongside incumbent shareholders, including CVC and the Rayner management team.
Headquartered in the United Kingdom, Rayner is a manufacturer of intraocular lenses and related ophthalmic products, with a global presence, with sales in more than 80 countries across six continents.
Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (“GBL”) is an established European investment holding company with over 70 years of stock‑exchange history. With a net asset value of €14 billion and a market capitalisation of €10 billion as of September 2025, GBL is a leading long‑term investor focused on value creation through a diversified portfolio of listed and private assets. The company benefits from a stable and supportive family shareholder base and maintains significant positions in high‑quality businesses across multiple sectors.
This transaction supports GBL’s strategy to expand its exposure to private assets and invest in high‑growth sectors, including healthcare, as outlined in its mid‑term strategic update.
The cross‑border, multidisciplinary McDermott team advising GBL was led by the UK Head of Health and Life Sciences, Sharon Lamb, and included Bella North, Paul Gadiock, Jana Grieb, Marissa Hill Daley, Parashar Patel, Michael Ryan, Bhanu Sadasivan, Margaret Sampson, James Cannatti, Lauren Ellison and Catherine MacDonald.
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