Based in Melbourne, the Nucleus Network is Australia’s leading early phase clinical research facility. It was established in 2003 and employs more than 100 employees, conducting trials for a range of global biotechnology and pharmaceutical clients.

The sale will boost the Victorian and Australian biotechnology and medical research sectors.

As the Baker Institute’s primary legal advisor, MinterEllison played a key role in all legal aspects of the sale.

Baker Institute Director, Professor Tom Marwick said the sale opens an exciting era which will place the 92-year-old Institute in a strong position to help solve big-picture questions about cardiovascular diseases.

"Proceeds from this sale will complement our very generous community support and help us to invest in the experts and equipment we need to ambitiously pursue our research programs in disease prevention and management of cardiovascular disease and diabetes,” Professor Marwick said.

"The successful sale of Nucleus Network is reflective of the interest private equity has shown in the clinical research space over the last few years due to strong growth in the biotechnology and pharma sectors," said MinterEllison lead partner Geraldine Johns-Putra. "Nucleus Network has developed into a leader in its field and we are delighted to be closely involved in this next stage of its evolution."

The MinterEllison team was led by Geraldine Johns-Putra together with Esmond Prowse and Andrew Jiang, with valuable support from Don Clarke, Andrea Frank, Nadine Hawa, Annabelle Healey, Marissa Piazza, Anthony Poynton, Stephanie Zemanski and Niven Prasad.