Elliot Shapiro's practice is transaction-oriented, with a focus on corporate and securities law, both public and private mergers and acquisitions and venture capital financing transactions, in particular in the life sciences field. Mr. Shapiro has also been integrally involved in numerous cross-border Canada-US corporate finance transactions both on a public and private placement basis.
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Shapiro worked as a research assistant for Professor William Tetley, Q.C. in maritime and private international law. He is fluent in English, French and Polish.
Mr. Shapiro currently serves as Corporate Secretary of Ęterna Zentaris Inc., a global biopharmaceutical company focused on endocrine therapy and oncology, whose common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Global Market.
Selected client work
Clients for whom Mr. Shapiro has acted include:
In corporate finance
· The underwriters, led by BMO Capital Markets and Scotia Capital, in connection with the public offering of $287.5 million of Series A Preferred Shares by Bell Aliant Preferred Equity Inc., and the agents, led by CIBC World Markets, RBC Dominion Securities and TD Securities, in connection with the $350 million issuance of medium term notes by Bell Aliant Regional Communications, Limited Partnership
· The agents in connection with the public offering by Bell Canada of $1 billion of 3.60% medium term note debentures, series M-21, maturing on December 2, 2015
· Ęterna Zentaris Inc. in various issuances in the United States of more thanUS$40 million of units comprised of common shares and common share purchase warrants by way of registered direct offering
· Garda in a private placement in the United States and Canada of two series of 9.75% senior unsecured notes due 2017 in the aggregate principal amounts of US$250 million and $75 million and a bank refinancing consisting of a $215-million secured three-year term loan and a $125-million secured three-year revolving credit facility
· Quebecor World Inc. (now World Color Press Inc.) in its successful emergence from creditor protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) in Canada and, in respect of certain U.S. subsidiaries, Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, and in connection with various securities laws, disclosure and stock exchange listing matters while under creditor protection
In mergers and acquisitions
· RONA inc. in its acquisition, by way of amalgamation, of all of the issued and outstanding shares of TruServ Canada Inc.
· Bowater Incorporated in connection with its cross-border merger with Abitibi-Consolidated Inc. to create a global leader in publications papers (newsprint and other communications papers).
· Arcelor S.A. (now ArcelorMittal) in connection with its $5.6-billion acquisition of Dofasco Inc. by way of take-over bid
In venture capital financings
· Tranzyme Pharma, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing novel small molecule drugs for both acute and chronic disorders with high unmet medical need, in connection with the Canadian aspects of its US$54-million IPO on the NASDAQ and various private equity, convertible debt and venture debt financing rounds and previously in the cross-border synthetic merger of Tranzyme, Inc. with Neokimia Inc.
· Enobia Pharma in the context of a US$50-million Series C multi-tranche venture capital financing and a $40.1-million Series B multi-tranche venture capital financing
Memberships and activities
· Canadian Bar Association