Team
Melissa Forbes-Miranda Partner T: +971 4 407 3904 M: +971 54 306 6543
View biography Email Melissa Forbes-Miranda | Vcard Office Dubai
Every industry and sector have in some way adopted the use of technology into their operations and processes. Macro trends have had an impact on the speed of adopting different technology such as the move towards net zero, the impact that covid had on different sectors such as life sciences and the changing demographic effecting the healthcare sector.
We have leading sector specialists that are immersed in the different challenges and opportunities that our clients face.
ClimateTech
One of the most important uses of technology will undoubtedly be in decarbonisation. Many countries, including the UK, have binding commitments to reach net zero by 2050. This is an enormous challenge and one in which technology will have a critical role to play. Whether it is taking CO2 out of the production of steel, cement, plastic or aluminium, technology will be at the heart of efforts to reduce emissions.
Whether you are a developer of net zero related technology or would like to use technology to help you reach net zero, our technology team can support you across the full range of your commercial needs. We advise on decarbonisation technologies in energy, transportation and trade, and the built and natural environment.
PropTech
The digital transformation in the property industry is changing how we build and use real estate. PropTech is being integrated into every stage of the built environment lifecycle, from the design and construction to the operation and disposal. We provide full-service support to our clients and deliver commercially pragmatic legal advice on the use of technology and data in the urban environment. We advise all areas of the real estate ecosystem on their technological needs, from the more traditional players looking to integrate technology into their buildings and retail companies looking to improve customer experiences, to the new disruptive PropTech companies.
HealthTech & Digital health
Technology continues to transform the life sciences industry and how drugs, treatments and healthcare are delivered.
Our multi-disciplinary teams provide specialist advice that combines our technology and life sciences expertise to support businesses in their digital solutions for the healthcare and life sciences sectors. This includes pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, diagnostics, healthtech and digital health.
Experience
BW Group
Advising on its acquisition of 100% of Hawaiki Submarine Cable and International Connectivity Services. The investment into Hawaiki Nui and Datagrid is the first submarine cable to directly interconnect Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand and the US, is Australasia’s first carbon-neutral hyperscale datacentre, powered by 100% green energy.
GE Healthcare
Advised GE Healthcare on the acquisition of Zionexa. GE Healthcare is a medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics, and digital solutions company; Zionexa is an innovator of in-vivo oncology and neurology biomarkers that help enable more personalised healthcare.
Shape
Advising on the incorporation and joint venture for the formation of Shape, a digital energy services company, created by Mitsui & Co, Modec Inc, and McKinsey. Shape pursuits impact-driven innovation, such as Greenhouse Gas reduction solution under R&D Phase, aimed at contributing towards a net zero society.
Finnfund
Advising Finnfund on its investment in KaiOS Technologies, the leading mobile operating system for smart feature phones, to help bring affordable mobile connections to Sub-Saharan Africa and work towards boosting digitalisation. This investment is classified as a 2X Challenge eligible gender investment, supporting women to close the digital divide that exists across lower-middle income countries.
We also advised Finnfund on its investment in the telecom tower sector in Indonesia.
UCB
In addition to our longstanding role advising UCB in relation to a range of day-to-day trading agreements (including MSAs, Platform Technology collaborations and Sponsored Research Agreements), we recently advised in relation to a contract with Enable Injections, Inc., for the development and clinical supply of a wearable injection device for the delivery of rozanolixizumab, an investigational antibody for the treatment of Myasthenia Gravis, a neuromuscular disease causing weakness in skeletal muscles. We have also advised UCB in business development projects including a licensing deal in the digital health space and UCB’s compliance with Human Samples legislation and GDPR.
International pharma company
Advised in relation to a collaboration with Verily Sciences, the Google Life Sciences company, for the use of Verily’s wearable technology as part of clinical trial programme.
Management sellers of Health iQ
Advised the sellers of Health iQ, a leading provider in real world data and digital solutions for healthcare and life sciences, on its sale by way of auction process to Corrona LLC, a US leader in real world evidence. We provided the entire range of legal advice, from tax through to IP, throughout the auction process, working hand in hand with Deloitte to facilitate the sale.
Optum Venture Global Partners, LP
Advised Optum, as the lead investor, investing by way of subscription for Series A Shares, in Oxford VR Limited, resulting in Optum holding 20% of the fully diluted share capital in Oxford VR. Oxford VR is technology company which has developed immersive virtual reality software aimed at treating mental health issues such as anxiety.
Healthcare apps
Advised a global healthcare company on its mobile healthcare/related apps.
