Advising EuroEyes International Eye Clinic Limited

Our Hong Kong corporate team acts for EuroEyes on its acquisition of FreeVis GmbH and PMK in Mannheim, Germany

Our corporate team in Hong Kong has once again advised EuroEyes International Eye Clinic Limited (“EuroEyes”), a Hamburg-headquartered company listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (“HKEX”) (stock code: 1846), on its (i) acquisition of FreeVis LASIK Zentrum Mannheim GmbH (“FreeVis GmbH”) from Knorz Vermögensverwaltung GmbH (“Knorz GmbH”), and (ii) indirect acquisition of the ophthalmological private practice of Professor Dr. Michael Christian Knorz (“Prof. Knorz”) in Germany (“PMK”).

As a precondition to the acquisition of FreeVis GmbH by EuroEyes, FreeVis GmbH shall acquire PMK from Prof. Knorz, with EuroEyes funding such acquisition via the provision of financial assistance to FreeVis GmbH.

FreeVis GmbH is a company incorporated in Germany and operates an eye clinic at the University Medical Centre Mannheim in Germany for the examination, prevention and treatment of defective vision, and specialising in the provision of refractive laser surgery. In addition to SmartSurf PRK, Femto-LASIK and SMILE, the main focuses of FreeVis GmbH are the implantation of intraocular contact lenses (Visian ICL) and refractive lens exchange with implantation of trifocal intraocular lenses.

PMK, an ophthalmological private practice in Germany which specialises in lens exchange surgery, was wholly owned by Prof. Knorz as a sole proprietorship prior to the transaction. Prof. Knorz is the Senior Vice President, Medical Affairs (International) of EuroEyes, and also one of the shareholders of Knorz GmbH.

The acquisitions will further expand EuroEyes’ service network and improve the synergy of its ophthalmic services. With the integration of the business of FreeVis GmbH and PMK into EuroEyes, EuroEyes intends to expand its current business in Mannheim, Germany while enhancing its overall market leader status in Germany. The established expertise and reputation of Prof. Knorz will also be beneficial for EuroEyes’ expansion in Asia, as he will continue to oversee the operation of EuroEyes’ business in the Greater China region.
 
The deal was signed by EuroEyes on 18 August 2023 and completed on 1 September 2023. 

Our Head of Corporate, Hong Kong and Partner Dickson Ng led the transaction, and he was supported by Associates Loretta Lo and Austin Seto, as well as Trainee Solicitor Kelvin Ng of the corporate team in Hong Kong.

Our Hong Kong corporate team is a long-term adviser to EuroEyes on its IPO and listing on the HKEX in October 2019, as well as its ongoing transactional and compliance issues as a HKEX-listed company, including its first post-IPO acquisition of London Vision Clinic Partners Limited in the United Kingdom in January 2022.