Michael P. Saber

Mike Saber advises privately held companies at all stages of their innovation and growth, with a focus on corporate transactional activity, including mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, capital-raising financings, technology transactions and other mission critical matters. Mike supports boards of directors relating to their corporate governance activity and frequently works with clients that have global footprints.

He works with pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agriculture technology, medical device, healthcare services and animal health companies. Mike is trusted counsel to entrepreneurial and closely-held businesses from start-up through growth stages in industries ranging from communications to retail to technology.

Mike is a member of the firm’s management committee and currently chairs its compensation committee. 

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
• 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.
• Advised a clinical-stage, venture-backed company focused on developing and commercializing gene therapies for the treatment of inherited retinal diseases in an all-stock merger with Ocuphire Pharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: OCUP), an ophthalmic biopharmaceutical company developing therapies for patients with retinal and refractive eye disorders.
• Represented a leading genome editing company 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.
• 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.