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Since the global Covid-19 pandemic, national and European legislation has been constantly evolving in order to anticipate issues relating to shortages and is, in fact, merely a manifestation of a “ ne...

Anticipate and manage the consequences of mergers and acquisitions transactions on the performance of public contracts In a recent case relating to the collapse of the Morandi bridge in Genoa in 2018,...

Paris, le 21 mai 2025 Clinical Ink, entreprise mondiale de technologies de sciences de la vie, étend ses solutions d’engagement patient en intégrant à sa plateforme 21 CFR Part 11 l’outil d’évaluation comportementale SPUR™ et le moteur d’IA propriétaire d.tells™. Ces outils numériques ont été développés par Observia, validés par une abondante littérature et utilisés auprès de plus de 40 000 patients dans 27 domaines thérapeutiques par plusieurs grands laboratoires pharmaceutiques. Le respect et la fidélité au protocole sont des facteurs essentiels à la réussite des essais cliniques. L’outil d’évaluation numérique SPUR™ permet de prédire et de modifier le comportement des patients. Il identifie les facteurs comportementaux propres à chaque patient. Il fournit ainsi des informations de soutien au patient et des mesures du risque de non-observance aux investigateurs. De plus, SPUR™ offre aux investigateurs un accompagnement personnalisé pour chaque patient, notamment le style et le contenu de communication adaptés à un phénotype comportemental spécifique. Les avantages comprennent un engagement optimisé et un risque réduit de non-observance, notamment une diminution des abandons d’essai clinique. SPUR™ peut être administré avant ou après le consentement, puis réadministré pendant l’essai. Alan Walter, associé-cofondateur du cabinet Walter Billet Avocats, commente : « Conseiller Clinical Ink pour cette acquisition d’actifs a nécessité une compréhension extensive du périmètre complexe et très spécifique des essais cliniques, ainsi que de sa dimension transfrontalière. De telles négociations entre une entreprise mondiale et une scale-up parisienne nécessitent toujours de trouver l’équilibre précis entre les exigences de chaque partie. Nous remercions tout particulièrement le conseil d’administration de Clinical Ink pour la confiance qu’il nous a témoignée en vue de lui apporter la meilleure assistance pour cette transaction qui nécessitait une grande précision en IT. » À PROPOS DE WALTER BILLET AVOCATS Depuis sa création, en janvier 2015, Walter Billet Avocats se positionne comme un partenaire de croissance des entreprises et des fonds d’investissement, en leur fournissant une expertise et un accompagnement sur-mesure dans les domaines du droit des sociétés (M&A, Private Equity), des technologies innovantes (en particulier informatique et Internet) et en propriété intellectuelle. Avec un département corporate positionné sur l’ensemble des problématiques juridiques de haut-de-bilan, le cabinet répond aux besoins des entreprises de toutes tailles – des start-ups aux PME et ETI – et de leurs actionnaires financiers, désireux de structurer des tours de financement, des LBO, des opérations de croissance externe ou des rapprochements. En IT-IP, le cabinet accompagne, en conseil comme en contentieux, ses clients du monde de l’informatique et de tous secteurs d’activité, grâce à son savoir-faire lié aux problématiques des technologies innovantes (droit des contrats, Internet, conformité RGPD…) et à la gestion des portefeuilles de marques. CONTACT PRESSE : Comm’ In-Out – Franck Moulins Tél. : +33 (0)623 174 398 – Email : [email protected]

Dans le cadre du déploiement de ses activités, Walter Billet Avocats est heureux d’annoncer la promotion de Christophe Cussaguet au rang d’associé, au sein de son pôle corporate. Par le biais de cette nomination, qui intervient de façon concomitante avec son 10ème anniversaire, le cabinet concrétise une nouvelle étape dans l’aventure entrepreneuriale amorcée par ses cofondateurs et consolide l’un de ses deux départements historiques. Entré au cabinet peu de temps après sa création, Christophe intervient aux côtés de fonds d’investissement mais aussi d’entreprises de toutes tailles – de la start-up aux PME et ETI – dans le cadre de leurs opérations de haut de bilan. Il avait été promu au rang de counsel en janvier 2023. « Le parcours de Christophe est une illustration parfaite de notre volonté d’accueillir à nos côtés de jeunes avocats désireux de participer au déploiement du cabinet et de les intégrer pleinement dans le développement de notre structure à taille humaine, se réjouissent Alan Walter et Fabien Billet, les associés-cofondateurs de Walter Billet Avocats. Au cours de la décennie écoulée à nos côtés, il a développé un savoir-faire et une expertise indispensables à l’accompagnement de nos clients dans l’ensemble de leurs problématiques de droit des affaires, en intervenant indifféremment dans la structuration de levées de fonds, de LBO, d’opérations de build-up ou encore à la faveur de rapprochements stratégiques. » Christophe Cussaguet déclare : « Je me réjouis de franchir une nouvelle étape aux côtés de Fabien et d’Alan et de concrétiser ainsi mon engagement pour les prochaines phases de développement du cabinet. La variété de la nature des dossiers traités au sein de notre équipe et des secteurs d’activité dans lesquels nos clients interviennent sont autant de motivations pour continuer de nous positionner en tant que partenaire de leur croissance. » Walter Billet Avocats totalise une dizaine de professionnels au sein de ses départements corporate et IT-IP. Biographie express Après une première expérience en banque et plusieurs stages dans des cabinets d’avocats de premier plan, Christophe Cussaguet a rejoint Walter Billet Avocats en juin 2015. Ayant développé une solide expertise au sein du département corporate, aux côtés de l’associé-fondateur Fabien Billet, il accompagne les clients du cabinet en droit des sociétés (M&A, Private Equity) et en droit commercial. Titulaire du Capa et d’un Master 2 Juriste d’affaires obtenu à l’université Paris-XII, Christophe avait été promu counsel en janvier 2023. À PROPOS DE WALTER BILLET AVOCATS Depuis sa création, en janvier 2015, Walter Billet Avocats se positionne en tant que partenaire de croissance des entreprises et des fonds d’investissement, en leur fournissant une expertise et un conseil sur-mesure dans les domaines du droit des sociétés (M&A, Private Equity), des technologies innovantes (en particulier informatique et Internet) et de la propriété intellectuelle. Avec un département corporate positionné sur l’ensemble des problématiques juridiques de haut de bilan, le cabinet répond aux besoins des entreprises de toutes tailles – des start-ups aux PME et ETI – et de leurs actionnaires financiers, désireux de structurer des tours de financement, des LBO, des opérations de croissance externe ou des rapprochements. En IT-IP, le cabinet accompagne, en conseil comme en contentieux, ses clients du monde de l’informatique et de tous secteurs d’activité, grâce à son savoir-faire lié aux problématiques des technologies innovantes (droit des contrats, internet, conformité RGPD…) et à la gestion des portefeuilles de marques.

On June 24, 2024, after intense negotiations between member states, the European Union adopted its 14th set of sanctions against Russia. This new package of measures, characterized by its firmness and targeted strategies, aims to weaken the Russian economy and restrict its military capabilities. The sanctions imposed include significant restrictions in the energy, finance, trade and transport sectors, aiming to reduce opportunities to circumvent existing sanctions. 1. ENERGY-RELATED MEASURES Regulation (EU) 833/2014 now prohibits the supply of goods, technologies, or services to liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects under construction in Russia, such as the Arctic LNG 2 and Murmansk LNG terminals. This initiative, which aims to restrict Russia's ability to expand its LNG infrastructure, is coupled with a ban on the transshipment of Russian LNG in EU ports, as well as the provision of associated technical services. A derogation can be requested for LNG transshipment when the cargo's destination is another member state. This measure is likely to increase costs for Russia, which will no longer be able to take advantage of EU infrastructures to optimize the transport of its LNG around the world. A 9-month transition period is planned. European states can still import Russian LNG, which accounts for 16% of the LNG consumed in the EU. However, re-exporting this LNG from European ports will no longer be possible. The EU also aims to hinder the current logistical pattern of Russian gas exports from the Arctic - notably from the Yamal plant - which, during the winter months, requires the use of ice-breaking LNG carriers. These ships deliver LNG to European ports that have the infrastructure to transfer LNG directly from one ship to another, mainly the ports of Bilbao, Zeebrugge, and Montoir-de-Bretagne, from where it is then transported, notably to Asian markets such as China and Turkey by conventional LNG carriers. In addition, the import of Russian LNG into specific terminals not connected to the EU pipeline network is now prohibited, reinforcing the efforts of the "Decarbonized Gas and Hydrogen" package to reduce European dependence on Russian gas. Ships supporting Russia's war are also banned from European ports and services. 2. ADDITIONAL LISTS OF PERSONS UNDER SANCTIONS The list of sanctioned persons has been extended by a further 116 entries concerning 69 individuals and 47 entities subject to an asset freeze, bringing the total to over 2,200. Individuals are also subject to a travel ban within the European Union. The new entries target various economic sectors, including military companies, companies specializing in space engineering, the chemical sector, explosives, as well as leading energy companies. As for natural persons, they are mainly individuals involved in disinformation and propaganda activities, who support Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. Among the new additions, however, is Russia's state-owned shipping company Sovcomflot - already targeted by US sanctions since early 2024. 3. MEASURES CONCERNING THE FINANCIAL SECTOR Financial sanctions are being stepped up with a ban on EU banks outside Russia using the Central Bank of Russia's financial messaging system (SPFS). Currently used by some 160 banks worldwide, this system was set up after Russia's exclusion from the SWIFT financial system. Third-country banks using SPFS are also prohibited from contacting EU operators, limiting financial transactions that could support Russian military capabilities. Transactions with banks and crypto-asset providers facilitating Russian defense transactions are also banned. 4. TRADE-RELATED MEASURES 61 new entities have been added to the list of entities linked to the Russian military-industrial complex, 33 of which are based in countries such as China, Hong Kong, Turkey, Kyrgyzstan, India, Kazakhstan and the United Arab Emirates. These entities are subject to stricter export restrictions on dual-use goods and technologies likely to contribute to enhance Russia's capabilities in the defense and security sectors. The 14th sanctions package imposes additional restrictions on exports of goods likely to to particularly strengthen Russia's industrial capabilities, such as chemical substances like manganese ore, rare earths, plastics, excavation machinery, monitors and electrical equipment. In addition, five new high-priority common items are now subject to export restrictions The 14th sanctions package bans the import of Russian helium to reduce resource dependency and deprive Russia of important revenues. Rules on imports of Russian diamonds are clarified, temporarily allowing the import or export of jewelry for trade fairs or repairs and has delayed until March 1er 2025 the roll-out of the mandatory traceability system for diamonds imported into the EU. Finally, the import of stolen Ukrainian cultural goods is prohibited to protect Ukraine's cultural heritage. 5. TRANSPORT MEASURES In the aviation sector, sanctions now prohibit non-scheduled flights by Russian persons, irrespective of ownership and control of the aircraft. This measure is accompanied by a uniform obligation for operators to provide detailed information on aircraft ownership and passengers on board at the request of national authorities. Another important measure is the tightening of restrictions in the road haulage sector. EU companies that are 25% or more Russian-owned are no longer allowed to transport goods by road across the Union, including transit. This ban also applies to road haulage companies currently owned at this level, preventing them from continuing to transport goods. Furthermore, these companies will no longer be eligible to become road hauliers within the EU in the future. In the shipping sector, a ban on access to ports and services has been imposed on vessels on the sanctions list due to their contribution to Russia's war effort. Under the terms of this 14th set of sanctions, 27 ships are currently affected. These ships are involved in transporting military equipment, transporting LNG, transporting stolen Ukrainian grain, and participating in the "phantom fleet" which transports Russian oil while using deceptive shipping practices to circumvent the price ceiling imposed by the EU and the coalition. This list of ships can be updated as often as necessary to counter the evolving involvement of vessels supporting Russia's war against Ukraine. 6. MEASURES TO PROTECT INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPR) EU intellectual property offices will no longer accept applications for new trademarks or patents from Russian citizens or residents. This measure is designed to deprive Russia of EU industrial know-how, while preventing Russian companies from benefiting from IPR protection in Europe. Russians can still use their new trademarks and technologies in the EU. They will simply not be protected from being used by an EU company or traded as a title. Their registered intellectual property rights will not, however, be canceled. 7. MEASURES TO COMBAT RUSSIAN INTERFERENCE Political parties, NGOs, foundations, think tanks, and the media in the EU can no longer accept funding, donations, or economic benefits from the Russian state or its proxies. This protects the integrity of European political processes and defends against Russian-orchestrated disinformation campaigns, particularly those conducted in light of the latest European elections from June 6 to 9, 2024. The EU has added Voice of Europe, RIA Novosti, Izvestia, and Rossiyskaya Gazeta to the list of sanctioned media. These measures are coupled with a new ban on EU and member states financing all Russian entities - not just public ones, as was previously the case. This measure aligns with existing restrictions on public procurement.   ***   FOCUS ON NEW MEASURES IMPACTING EU OPERATORS The new sanctions package introduces a number of measures to protect EU operators still operating in Russia: Extension of the exemption period for services and software provided by entities controlled by persons located within the European Union. The new sanctions package introduces the possibility of requesting a waiver from the competent authority up to September 30, compared with June 20, 2024 previously. In France, applications are to be sent to the French Treasury, via the Téléservice platform. Exemption for EU nationals residing in Russia before February 2022 In order not to unduly restrict the right to employment of Union nationals who were resident in Russia prior to the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and who are employed by subsidiaries of Union entities and partner countries in Russia, Decision (CFSP) 2024/1744 introduces an exemption to the prohibition on providing certain services to the Russian government or to legal persons, entities or bodies established in Russia. Creation of a legal basis enabling EU operators to claim compensation in the EU for damage caused by Russian companies in the context of the implementation of sanctions and expropriation. At present, EU companies that, for example, terminate a contract with a Russian company to comply with sanctions are protected from possible claims in the EU. However, they can be prosecuted in Russia for doing so and have their assets seized there. The new instrument establishes a specific legal basis enabling EU companies to recover such damages from any assets of their Russian counterparts in the EU. Regulation (EU) 2024/1745 thus enables EU companies that have been dispossessed or expropriated to claim damages, including not only compensation for the loss of their assets but also coverage of the legal costs incurred in these proceedings. More specifically, where a company has suffered damage as a result of "illegitimate temporary management imposed by a decision of Russian decision-makers targeting property located on the territory of the Russian Federation and belonging to foreign persons associated with 'hostile foreign states', i.e. states that have taken restrictive measures against Russia," this operator will now be able to obtain compensation. These measures include the possibility of recovering damages from those who benefited from a decision taken under Decree 302 of the President of the Russian Federation, dated April 25, 2023, authorizing the takeover of assets managed by investors from hostile states. At the same time, a number of measures have been taken to tighten parent companies' control over their subsidiaries in third countries, in order to avoid opportunities to circumvent European sanctions: EU companies will have to do everything possible to ensure that their subsidiaries in third countries are not involved in activities that jeopardize EU sanctions. The main aim is to ensure that a "No Russia clause" is included in contracts for the transfer of intellectual property rights (IPR), to ensure that industrial know-how transferred outside the EU is not used to manufacture priority goods for Russia. EU companies will have to exercise due diligence to prevent  high-priority goods from reaching Russia via third countries, often in the Caucasus and Central Asia, which often serve as hubs for re-routing of Western products, and to ensure that their foreign subsidiaries marketing such goods do likewise. In this way, European operators, as well as the non-European entities they own or control, could be held liable in the event of non-compliance with this obligation and for violating the sanctions. In this sense, the 14th sanctions package specifies that the conditions for circumventing European sanctions are met not only when a person deliberately seeks the object or effect of circumventing the restrictive measures, but also when a person participating in an activity with the object or effect of circumventing the restrictive measures is aware that such participation may have such an object or effect, and accepts the possibility (including when the individual had acted recklessly or negligently when he or she had reasonable grounds to suspect that his or her actions would violate the said sanctions, as per the case law of CJEU[1]).  

August Debouzy is pleased to announce that it has advised Argos Wityu on the acquisition of a majority stake in Groupe Routin, a leading French producer of premium syrups and ingredients for creative beverages. This transaction represents the first investment in France by Argos Climate Action, Argos Wityu’s environmental buy-out fund (Article 9 SFDR), and the second investment by the fund in Europe. The goal of Argos Climate Action is to create sustainable development leaders in Europe by reducing the carbon emission intensity of its portfolio companies by at least 7.5% per year. As part of this transaction, Crédit Mutuel Equity, UI Investissement, as well as the company’s management and employees, will remain minority shareholders and reinvest alongside Argos Wityu. Groupe Routin, with over 240 employees and more than €115 million in revenue in 2023, is actively advancing its environmental transition. The company is focusing on reducing carbon emissions, conserving water, and increasing the use of natural ingredients in its products. The August Debouzy team that advised Argos Wityu on this transaction included: Corporate: Julien Aucomte (partner), Maxime Legourd (senior associate), François Richard (senior associate), Sophie Faulcon (associate), Juliette Vachet (associate) Competition Law: Renaud Christol (partner) and Maëva Ammel (associate) Contractual Matters: Alexandra Berg-Moussa (partner) and Aurélien Micheli (senior associate) Intellectual Property: Pierre Pérot (senior associate) IT and Data Protection: Florence Chafiol (partner) and Alexandra Antalis (associate) Employment Law: Virginie Devos (partner), Boris Léone-Robin (counsel), and Alexandre Dumortier (senior associate) Real Estate: Malvina Dahan (senior associate) and Alix Kianpour (associate) Financing: Antonia Raccat (partner) and Catherine Mintegui (senior associate) Litigation: Marie Danis (partner) and Marie Edelstenne (associate) Regulatory and Public Law: Vincent Brenot (partner) and Charles Maurel (associate) This transaction highlights Argos Wityu and Groupe Routin's commitment to sustainable development while reinforcing their leadership in the market.