Deal in Brief: Amylin Sale
Deal Value: $7 billion
Firm’s Role: Seller’s Counsel
Deal Trivia: Lieberman used the iPhone No! button app to object to unfavorable deal terms.

Sometimes the most important prerequisite for a good marriage is a good divorce lawyer. That was certainly true for Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc., which in 2011 found itself stuck in an unhappy partnership with pharma giant Eli Lilly and Company. Looking to get out of the relationship, the biotech turned to Nancy Lieberman and her team at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. Over the next 18 months, Skadden helped Amylin terminate its 10-year alliance with Lilly, navigate unsolicited bids for the company, and ultimately negotiate a $7 billion sale to Bristol-Myers Squibb Company and AstraZeneca PLC, a $3.5 billion premium over earlier offers.