Luther advises University Medicine Greifswald on merger with Karlsburg Hospital

With the acquisition of the Karlsburg Clinic, University Medicine Greifswald is strengthening its range of services in cardiology and diabetology and securing regional healthcare provision in Karlsburg. The nationally recognised specialist hospital for heart and metabolic diseases will initially be operated as a wholly owned subsidiary from 1 January 2026 before being fully integrated into the UMG on 1 January 2027 and developed as ‘Campus Karlsburg’.

The Luther team specialising in advising university hospitals, led by Dr. Thomas Gohrke and Dr. Daniel Schubmann, managed the transaction from both a legal and tax perspective. Thanks to the team's decades of experience in the university medical sector, it was possible to reconcile the demanding requirements of health and hospital law with the strategic goals of the UMG.

The state government of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania expressly supports the transaction, as it brings major benefits both for patient care in a structurally weak region and for research and teaching in Greifswald.

‘The regulatory requirements, the demanding legal due diligence and the drafting of the purchase agreement details for this project were implemented precisely with the help of Luther's experienced experts. The professional and strategic support throughout this entire process was key to its success,’ said Professor Dr. Uwe Reuter, Medical Director and Chairman of the Board of Universitätsmedizin Greifswald.

About Greifswald University Hospital:

Greifswald University Hospital has its origins in the founding of the university on 17 October 1456, which also saw the establishment of the Faculty of Medicine. Today, Greifswald University Hospital offers a wide range of services, with 21 clinics/polyclinics, 19 institutes and other central facilities working together. With 930 beds and 4,400 employees, it treats around 180,000 patients annually, including approximately 36,000 inpatients. In addition to the faculty and hospital, Greifswald University Hospital has other health and educational facilities, including an outpatient nursing service, an emergency medical service for Greifswald and the surrounding area, the district hospital in Wolgast and a vocational school for nurses and other healthcare professionals.

About the Dr. Guth Clinic Group:

The Dr. Guth Clinic Group is a healthcare provider based in northern Germany with around 800 employees. It has more than 40 years of experience in operating hospitals. The company was founded by Dr. Gerhard Guth, a specialist in surgery. The Dr. Guth Clinic Group GmbH & Co. KG is an association of three renowned hospitals: KLINIK DR. GUTH – a surgical and orthopaedic clinic in western Hamburg, the CURSCHMANN KLINIK – a rehabilitation hospital for cardiology and angiology in Timmendorfer Strand, and the KLINIKUM KARLSBURG – Heart and Diabetes Centre Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in Karlsburg near Greifswald.

For Greifswald University Hospital:

Luther, Corporate/M&A: Dr. Daniel Schubmann (Counsel, lead), Dr. Karina Wojtowicz (Senior Associate), Vivien Insa Seifert (Associate)

Luther, Higher Education Medicine/Hospital Law: Dr Thomas Gohrke (partner, lead), Dr Hendrik Bernd Sehy (counsel), Frances Wolf (senior associate), Martina Steude, LL.M. (senior associate)

Luther, Employment Law: Prof. Dr Robert von Steinau-Steinrück (partner), Dr Lisa Kraayvanger (senior associate)

Luther, real estate law: Theresa Oesch (senior associate), Patrick Gocht (senior associate), Christoph Kolb (associate)

Luther, tax law: Dr Bela Jansen (partner), Viktoria Kremer (counsel), Leonie Herwarth von Bittenfeld, LL.B., M.A. (senior associate), Konrad Prokop, LL.M. (associate)

Luther, antitrust law: Prof. Dr. Christian Burholt, LL.M. (partner), Lara Zölck (senior associate)

ESCHE SCHÜMANN COMMICHAU, M&A: Jakob Kleefass (Partner); Tobias Schrell (Associate)