Law firm Stephenson Harwood has advised Aetna International Inc. (Aetna) on its acquisition of Hong Kong-based Canadian Insurance Company Limited (CICL).

The acquisition means that Aetna, the US headquartered healthcare benefits provider, is now licensed to offer health insurance in Hong Kong. The license allows Aetna to market its products and services solely under the Aetna brand. The transaction required both corporate and regulatory advice, and coincided with the restructuring of the insurance regulator in Hong Kong, which brought additional challenges.

The Stephenson Harwood team was led by senior associate Andrew Carpenter, who was assisted by registered foreign lawyer Lidia Wagstyl.