Dr. Matthias Staehelin DHEE
Attorney at Law and Civil Law Notary (BS/BL) / Partner
Matthias Staehelin regularly advises on mergers and acquisitions, financings (private equity and venture capital), licensing and collaborations (including joint ventures), IPOs and restructuring. He is familiar with the life sciences industry thanks to his broad network he has established with companies, investors and founders, and the numerous transactions concluded in this field. As member or chairman of Boards he has assisted companies in fundamental transformations thereby ensuring a robust corporate governance in times of significant change, both for public and private companies.
Matthias is president of BioValley Basel, an industry association active in the Oberrhein region (Basel/Freiburg/Strasbourg). He publishes and lectures in the field of corporate law, bankruptcy law and compensation. He completed at Harvard Business School the Advanced Corporate Director Seminar and the Directors Certificate. He studied in Halifax (Canada), Basel, Bruges (College of Europe) and Freiburg im Breisgau (Germany). He also serves as a notary public in the cantons of Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft.
Languages
German, English, French
"Matthias Staehelin and Christian Wyss are accessible, have a pragmatic approach and their advice is reliable and of high quality."
Legal 500 - 2026
"Matthias Staehelin is noted for his expertise in assisting life sciences companies and start-ups with financing mandates. He additionally advises domestic and international clients on M&A transactions. "
Chambers and Partners - 2026
"Matthias Staehelin is a highly experienced lawyer who consistently finds pragmatic solutions in many complex transactions. "
Chambers and Partners - 2026
"His ability to navigate complexity, anticipate potential issues and offer smart, well-balanced solutions is impressive. "
Chambers and Partners - 2026
"He combines deep legal expertise with a wide-angle view of commercial implications, making him an invaluable partner. We would highly recommend him without hesitation. "
Chambers and Partners - 2026
"Matthias Staehelin provides an excellent level of expertise and service."
Chambers and Partners - 2025
"Matthias Staehelin is an outstanding partner and Vincent Reardon a great associate."
The Legal 500 - 2025
"Recommended in Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Private Equity Law"
Best Lawyers Switzerland - 2024
"Matthias Staehelin is a highly seasoned and experienced professional, with deep understanding of M&A and the unique needs of start-ups. He is also calm and focused in negotiations, providing clarity to all stakeholders."
Chambers and Partners - 2024
"Matthias Staehelin has a keen business sense and, rather than focusing on problems, he is dedicated to being part of the solution."
Chambers and Partners - 2024
"He is very solution-oriented and pragmatic and has deep industry experience when it comes to life sciences and start-up companies."
Chambers and Partners - 2024
"Recognized as Notable Practitioner 2024"
IFLR 1000 - 2024
"Matthias Staehelin regularly advises on acquisitions and share purchase agreements. He is particularly noted for his expertise in the life sciences sector."
Chambers Global & Europe - 2023
"Matthias Staehelin has an impressive transactional and intellectual property practice that he leverages to support clients in a variety of financing, dealmaking and life sciences issues."
IFLR 1000 - 2023
"Recommended for Mergers and Acqusitions Law, Private Equity Law. Best Lawyers - Lawyer of the year 2018"
Best Lawyers Switzerland - 2022
"Matthias Staehelin is noted for his expertise assisting clients with financing mandates. He additionally advises domestic and international clients on M&A transactions."
Chambers Europe - 2022
"Matthias Staehelin regularly advises on acquisitions and share purchase agreements. He is particularly noted for his expertise in the life sciences sector. He receives praise from one client as a "very experienced lawyer with in-depth knowledge.""
Chambers Global & Europe - 2022
"Matthias Staehelin has an impressive transactional and intellectual property practice that he leverages to support clients in a variety of financing, dealmaking and life sciences issues."
IFLR 1000 - 2022
"Matthias Staehelin is noted for his expertise assisting clients with financing mandates."
Chambers Europe - 2021
"Matthias Staehelin handles joint ventures, acquisitions and divestments for corporate clients. He is particularly noted for his expertise in the life sciences sector."
Chambers Global & Europe - 2021
"“Very experienced in corporate governance and M&A.”"
IFLR 1000 - 2021
"The well-established life sciences practice at VISCHER is sought after by a range of players in the industry, including pharmaceutical companies, start-ups and investors. Covering the healthcare, pharmaceutical, biotech and cosmetics sectors, the team handles contentious and non-contentious regulatory and patent matters as well as financing rounds and M&A transactions. Stefan Kohler enjoys a strong reputation among his peers and has experience in IP and technology law. He jointly leads the practice with Basel-based Matthias Staehelin, who is well versed in capital markets, venture capital and agreements in the relevant field. Christian Wyss, also in the Basel office, is noted for his knowledge in R&D, technology transfers and license agreements."
Legal 500 - 2021
"VISCHER wurde in den Branchen Chemie, Medizinaltechnik und Pharma als eine der fünf am häufigsten empfohlenen Kanzleien ausgezeichnet."
BILANZ-Ranking "Top-Anwaltskanzleien - 2020
"Interviewees highlight Matthias Staehelin for his work for pharmaceutical clients, particularly for start-ups and in venture capital matters. He is also noted for his experience in assisting clients from the life sciences sector with corporate transactions."
Chambers Europe - 2020
"Matthias Staehelin advises medical device and biopharmaceutical companies on financing mandates, with additional experience in licensing agreements."
Chambers Europe - 2020
"Interviewees highlight Matthias Staehelin for his work for pharmaceutical clients, particularly for start-ups and in venture capital matters. He is also noted for his experience in assisting clients from the life sciences sector with corporate transactions."
Chambers Global - 2020
"VISCHER has a strong track record in transactions in the life sciences space, in which it acts for companies, entrepreneurs and investors alike. It is also well versed in advising clients on compliance matters, administrative procedures and other regulatory matters. Stefan Kohler has longstanding experience in the sector and further advises on IP and technology law. He jointly leads the practice alongside Matthias Staehelin in Basel, who is a key contact for M&A, IPOs and financings in this space. Christian Wyss, also in Basel, has considerable knowledge in setting up contracts and assisting start-ups."
Legal 500 - 2020
"VISCHER advises on a broad spectrum of capital market matters, including IPOs (where it is particularly active in the life sciences industry), bond issues and regulatory matters. The client portfolio is similarly diverse with national and foreign banks, hedge funds, and companies, among others, instructing the team. Team leader Markus Guggenbühl focuses on debt financing, capital market transactions and public takeovers, while Jana Essebier is well versed in structured products and other financial instruments. Basel-based Matthias Staehelin and Robert Bernet are other key practitioners."
Legal 500 - 2020
"VISCHER has a solid track record in national and cross-border M&A and private equity transactions in the mid-market. Other areas of expertise are public takeovers and proxy solicitations, and the team is particularly well versed in the life sciences sector. Jürg Luginbühl and Robert Bernet lead the M&A practice groups in Zurich and Basel respectively. Matthias Staehelin, also in Basel, is an expert in life sciences mandates, while Gian-Andrea Caprez specialises in the TMT/ICT sector."
Legal 500 - 2020
"Matthias Staehelin has an impressive transactional and intellectual property practice that he leverages to support clients in a variety of financing, dealmaking and life sciences issues."
Who's Who Legal - 2020
"Matthias Staehelin has significant experience in high-value transactional and financing work within the life sciences industry. His clients appreciate him for "his business acumen and ability to come up with practical solutions" and deem him to be a "pragmatic, assertive and solution-driven" practitioner."
Chambers Europe - 2019
"Matthias Staehelin has a strong focus on transactions within the life sciences sector and advised Symetis on its USD435 million acquisition by Boston Scientific. He is noted by sources for "his ability to 'think business' and come up with practical solutions."
Chambers Europe/Global - 2019
"Derivatives, securities listings, IPOs, bond issues and fintech products constitute the core areas of advice at VISCHER. Markus Guggenbühl assists UK-based Elliott Advisors on Swiss securities laws, takeover and disclosure rules in connection with several matters, while Robert Bernet advised Openlimit Holding during its authorised investment capital increase; its shares are traded on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Matthias Staehelin advised Crispr Therapeutics on a $130m public offering of shares on Nasdaq."
Legal 500 - 2019
"VISCHER has 'a strong position in the Basel market' and 'can assist very well in corporate transactions', with a particular focus on mid-market M&A and private equity deals, as well as Chinese inbound and outbound transactions. Jürg Luginbühl and the 'very responsive' Robert Bernet 'align teams according to the size of the transaction' and provide 'pragmatic solutions while maintaining reasonable hourly rates'. Recent highlights include handling Dutch client Lundbeck's €905m acquisition of the entire share capital in Prexton Therapeutics, as well as advising GreatStar Hangzhou Industrial on the purchase of Lista. Life sciences and IT specialist Matthias Staehelin is the another key contact."
Legal 500 - 2019
"VISCHER is renowned for its expertise in corporate, commercial, transactional, regulatory and patent-related healthcare and biotech matters. Matthias Staehelin assisted Medartis with its initial public offering on the SIX Swiss Exchange, while Stefan Kohler acted for Novo Nordisk Pharma in its appeal against a pricing decision made by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health concerning the client's type-two diabetes product. Christian Wyss advised Lundbeck on its €905m acquisition of Prexton Therapeutics."
Legal 500 - 2019
"Matthias Staehelin comes particularly recommended for his know-how of M&A transactions in the life sciences and IT sectors. One client enthuses: 'Matthias is a real problem solver and contributes strategically in our discussions, rather than just regurgitating the rules of law.'"
Chambers Europe - 2018
"Basel-based Matthias Staehelin has a strong focus on transactions, with experience handling high-stakes negotiations, licence agreements and incentive plans. He advised Polyphor on a CHF 40 million private placement and also acted for AC Immune on its IPO."
Chambers Europe - 2018
"Vischer is particularly ‘strong in private M&A and private equity transactions for young, fast-growing companies in the healthcare and digital media sectors’. The practice advised Symetis on its $435m all-cash acquisition by Boston Scientific and also assisted Anheuser-Busch InBev with the €7.3bn sale of SABMiller’s business in Eastern Europe to Asahi. Co-head Jürg Luginbühl and associate Gian-Andrea Caprez are recommended for ‘finding pragmatic and commercial solutions, working exceptionally hard and responding quickly’. Other names to note are M&A co-leads Matthias Staehelin and Benedict Christ."
Legal 500 - 2018
"Vischer provides transactional, financing, capital markets, product launch and regulatory advice to health and life sciences industry clients and further represents them in contentious matters. The practice assisted JSR Corporation with its acquisition of Selexis and advised Axovant Sciences on its debt financing agreement with Hercules Capital. Stefan Kohler jointly heads the practice with Matthias Staehelin; Christian Wyss is another name to note."
Legal 500 - 2018
"Clients say Matthias Staehelin is 'very professional, profound and punctual.' He assists clients from the life sciences and technology sectors with M&A transactions, and advised Shanghai Jiuchuan Investment Group on a merger with SHL Telemedicine."
Chambers Europe/Global - 2017
"Matthias Staehelin is widely respected for his transactional work. Clients appreciate that 'he knows and understands our needs.' He advised AC Immune on its collaboration with Janssen Pharmaceutica."
Chambers Europe - 2016
"Corporate co-head Matthias Staehelin leads the firm's life sciences practice and assists clients with financing and transactional work relating to that industry. He also has substantial private equity expertise."
Chambers Europe/Global - 2016
"Jürg Luginbühl heads the ‘reliable, knowledgeable, and prompt’ team at Vischer. Recent work includes advising the owners of GlycoVaxyn regarding its sale to GlaxoSmithKline and assisting OC Oerlikon with the sale of its advanced technologies segment to Evatec. Robert Bernet has ‘excellent business acumen’ and Matthias Staehelin is particularly recommended for life sciences transactions."
Legal 500 - 2016
"Vischer is particularly strong in public law, where Stefan Rechsteiner is a leading lawyer, and in the healthcare and life sciences sector, where Stefan Kohler has expertise in regulatory and IP matters and Matthias Staehelin regularly handles M&A transactions. Another industry strength is media and telecoms, where Rolf Auf der Maur is recommended."
Legal 500 - 2016
"Vischer has an ‘excellent’ regulatory practice, including compliance and administrative procedures, remarkable IP capabilities and a niche in acting for emerging biotech companies, where it advised GlycoVaxyn and Redvax on their sales to GlaxoSmithKline and Pfizer, respectively. Other clients include AstraZeneca, Novartis, Mattern Pharmaceuticals and IVF Zentren Prof. Zech. Stefan Kohler has ‘very broad knowledge’, including regulatory and IP matters, and is recommended along with Matthias Staehelin and newly promoted partner Christian Wyss."
Legal 500 - 2016
"Matthias Staehelin focuses on the life sciences and IT industries. Clients praise him as 'very easy to work with.'"
Chambers Europe/Global - 2015
"The ‘very hardworking team’ at Vischer provides ‘commercial solutions to legal problems’. It successfully represented IVF Zentren Prof. Zech before the Cantonal Administrative Court of St Gallen, which overturned a health department ban on cryopreservation of oocytes to preserve female fertility. It also assisted AstraZeneca with the acquisition of Spirogen. Matthias Staehelin leads the practice alongside Stefan Kohler, who has ‘broad knowledge’ and ‘a friendly negotiation style’."
Legal 500 - 2015
"Matthias Staehelin also heads the department, and is highlighted by market commentators for his expertise relating to start-ups, particularly in the life sciences and IT sectors. He took the lead advising Tyco International on its demerger."
Chambers Europe/Global - 2014