London law firm Howard Kennedy has advised Polski Bank Komorek Macierzystych (“PBKM”), which  leads the international FamiCord Group, Europe’s largest stem cell bank, alongside leading Polish law  firm, GESSEL, a fellow member of LAW (Lawyers Associated Worldwide), on its purchase of shares in  Smart Cells, the UK’s first private cord blood stem cell storage company. 

Founded in 2001 and based in London, Smart Cells has operations across Great Britain, the Middle  East and Hong Kong. The transaction marks the next step in PBKM’s consolidation strategy across the European family cord blood banking market, while expanding its global presence across Smart Cells’  key markets in the Middle East and Hong Kong. 

Lead partner Anthony Hunt, commented: “We were delighted to have advised PBKM on a complex  transaction which took place over many months and included the simultaneous acquisition of Smart  Cells subsidiary companies in the UK, Middle East and Hong Kong, alongside associated member of  LAW, Gessel.” 

Jakub Baran, President of the Management Board at Polski Bank Komorek Macierzystych,  commented: “We were delighted to have worked closely with the team at Howard Kennedy. Along with  our standing counsel, Gessel, they have been instrumental in coordinating a very complex and involved  deal, which made for a smooth and easy completion. We look forward to working with them again in the  future.” 

Maciej Kozuchowski, Corporate Partner at GESSEL, commented: “It was a pleasure to work  alongside Anthony and his team at Howard Kennedy. They were integral to helping us close the  transaction and we very much hope to work with them again in the future.” 

Howard Kennedy’s transaction team was led by Anthony Hunt, assisted by Corporate Associate  Matthew Astbury together with various colleagues including Philip Vickery (Tax), Emily Malster  (Corporate), Antonia Frangakis (Real Estate), Robert Lands, Charlotte Colthurst (IP & Commercial) and  Anjali Raval (Employment). 

The GESSEL team was led by Corporate Partner Maciej Kozuchowski, alongside Bartloiej Wozniak  and Karolina Sobola (Corporate). 

Pawel Chmielewski of Bastion Group led the buy side corporate finance team and Knights plc (led by  Partner Lisa Bridgewood and Associate Sophie Knapper) acted for the sellers.