Michael P. Saber

Mike works with companies on their corporate transactional activity, including mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, capital-raising financings, technology transactions and other mission critical matters.  

He co-leads the firm’s Life Sciences and Chambers Global-rated AgTech industry practice groups, and often works with pharmaceutical, biotechnology, precision agriculture, medical device and animal health companies.  Mike also regularly counsels entrepreneurial and closely-held businesses from start-up through growth stages in industries ranging from gaming to retail to technology.

Recognition

• The Best Lawyers in America®
  • Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice (2010-2025)
  • Corporate Law (2010-2025)
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2010-2025)
  • Securities/Capital Markets Law (2010-2025)
  • Venture Capital Law (2010-2025)
  • Best Lawyers® 2020 Securities/Capital Markets Law "Lawyer of the Year" in Raleigh
  • Best Lawyers® 2015 and 2019 Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice "Lawyer of the Year" in Raleigh 
• Business North Carolina Legal Elite 
• Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rated 
• North Carolina Super Lawyers (2011-2021)

Education

• Emory University, J.D., 1989
• Columbia University, A.B., 1984

Bar & Court Admissions

• Board Member, Research Triangle Chapter, National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) (2024-present) 
• Council for Entrepreneurial Development (CED)
  • Board of Directors and Executive Committee (2015-2022)
  • Secretary (2016-2022)
• North Carolina Bar Association
• Wake County Bar Association
• Past Director, Association for Corporate Growth, RTP Chapter
• Founding Director, National Association of Corporate Directors, RTP Chapter
• Past President, Temple Beth Or, Raleigh, NC

• Advised a EU-based clinical research organization in a definitive agreement to acquire the pharmacovigilance business from a global, listed healthcare services company for approximately $10,000,000 in cash.
• Represented a leading genome editing company dedicated to improving life in its $145.4 million initial public offering of 9,085,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $16.00 per share.
• Lead counsel to a venture capital-funded genome editing company in a worldwide partnership, worth up to $1.6 billion, including an upfront payment of $105 million, with a global, publicly-traded pharmaceutical company to develop and commercialize allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapies for multiple cancers. The transaction was awarded the 2016 Life Science sector Deals of Distinction™ award by the Licensing Executives Society and was awarded the 2016 Collaboration Impact Deal of the Year: High Range by LMG Life Sciences.
• Represented a large, owner-operated, regional construction equipment dealer and distributor in connection with its acquisition by a global manufacturer of multiple lines of construction equipment in a cash deal for an undisclosed amount.
• Advised a special materials company on the acquisition of a global supplier of tantalum, tungsten, and niobium particulates.
• Represented a private equity-backed telecommunications engineering, construction, and infrastructure company in its equity purchase of a regional specialized construction contractor that provides fiber optic, horizontal directional drilling, and underground utility services.
• Advised a special materials company on the purchase of substantially all of the assets of a leading manufacturer of value-added ferrotitanium, titanium sponge, titanium powders, and specialty forms.
• Advised a leading travel management company in a definitive agreement to acquire a corporate and leisure travel company.
• Represented a private ag biotech company in a $400 million sale to public ag bio company in a cash and milestone-based transaction.
• Advised leading global healthcare services company in acquisition of specialty laboratory and diagnostics products company.
• Represented second and third generation owners in sale of their interests in family-owned industrial company in structured finance transaction.
• Advised a leading healthcare services provider in the $60 million cash acquisition of a global sourcing company.
• Represented a drug development company in $60 million late stage venture capital raising preferred stock financing (largest such deal in the Southeast at the time).
• Represented the special board committee of portfolio company of large private equity fund in connection with financing transaction.
• Advised a global CRO business in the staged acquisition of the leading interactive response technology provider for $75 million in value.
• Advised a leading CRO in Asia in the acquisition of CRO assets in the United States.
• Represents institutional investors in portfolio company financings, including seed financings of technology, life sciences and ag biotech companies.
• Represented a healthcare IT company in connection with $100 million bid for strategic target in auction process and in multiple other acquisitions.
• Advised a 100% Employee Stock Ownership Plan-owned company providing support services to the poultry industry in an acquisition by a private equity-backed buyer for approximately $21 million in cash and equity.
• Advised a private materials and recycling technology company in its purchase of certain assets of a maker of emission control catalytic materials for the global automotive industry.
• Represented a leading travel management company in multiple strategic acquisitions, including its purchase of the assets of a Canadian travel management company.
• Advised a global contract research organization in a definitive agreement to merge with a North American contract research organization.
• Advised a private scientific research, systems engineering, and design company in its purchase of a consulting firm.
• Represents a manufacturer dealer network in strategic acquisitions for cash and stock of family-owned businesses for expansion and consolidation of network.
• Represented a large contract research organization in strategic acquisition of global consulting firm.
• Represents ESOP companies and trustees in sell-side and buy-side transactions.