Global law firm Freshfields has advised Springer Nature on the divestment of its consumer media business Scientific American in the United States. Scientific American, one of the world's leading popular science publications, is to be acquired by LabX Media Group, a global science-focused media company. Springer Nature is one of the leading publishers of research in the world and a pioneer in open research.

Springer Nature has simultaneously announced the divestment of Spektrum der Wissenschaft, a German-language science magazine, to GeraNova Bruckmann, a Germany-based publishing group. According to the company’s press release, these strategic transactions support Springer Nature’s focus on its core global publishing business in research, health and education, while enabling the long-term development of the Scientific American and Spektrum der Wissenschaft brands. 

The Springer Nature inhouse legal team on this transaction was led by Isabella Stocks (Senior Legal Counsel) and Karoline Haufler (Vice President Corporate Legal).

The Freshfields team was led by Partner Lars Meyer (Berlin/Frankfurt) and Counsel Xiaoguang Cai (Berlin, both Corporate/M&A), together with Partner Theresa Ehlen (Düsseldorf) and Principal Associate Max Zellerhoff (Hamburg, both Commercial/IP). 

The wider core team comprised Partner Nicole Foster and Associate Juan Pastor (both Employment Law), Counsel Lisa Cammer (Corporate/M&A, all New York), Associates Asta von Kienitz (Hamburg, Commercial/IP) and Alena Lieder (Berlin, Corporate/M&A), Counsel Philipp Roos (Düsseldorf), Associate Felix Müller-Eising (Frankfurt), Partner Marissa Yu (San Francisco) and Associate Olivia Luongo (New York, all IP/IT), Partner Uwe Salaschek and Associate Manuel Erman (both Antitrust, Berlin) and Partner Joe Soltis (Tax, New York).