Kirkland Represents J.P. Morgan and CICC as Buyer Advisers on Acquisition and Privatization of Frontage

Kirkland & Ellis is advising J.P. Morgan and CICC, as joint financial advisers to the buyer consortium formed by Charles River Laboratories International, Inc. (NYSE: CRL), Hongkong Tigermed Co., Limited (a subsidiary of Hangzhou Tigermed Consulting Co., Ltd. (HKEX: 3347; SZSE: 300347)) and Dr. Song Li, in connection with the consortium’s proposed acquisition and privatization of Frontage Holdings Corporation (HKEX: 1521). The transaction was announced on November 9, 2026.

This transaction represents the largest Hong Kong privatization offer involving a concurrent carve-out and also the largest one in CRO space historically, and it also marks the first Hong Kong public transaction to accommodate CVR payments to shareholders (including Southbound Stock Connect investors).

The Kirkland team includes corporate lawyers Joey Chau, Brian Ho and Leo Zhou; and debt finance lawyers Jacqueline Zheng and Sean Zhang.