The High Court of England and Wales has ruled against Konstantin and Sofia Zhevago in their bid to be recognized as the beneficial owners of Francombe Ventures Limited, a company previously linked to the Arterium Group.
The plaintiffs sought a declaration under English law affirming their ownership of Francombe Ventures Limited. However, the court found insufficient grounds to grant this request and subsequently dismissed the case.
Arterium stated that the legal dispute concerning Francombe Ventures Limited gained public attention in January 2026. Notably, the sale agreement of the Arterium Group from December 2025 was not part of the court’s considerations.
According to the corporation, this sale agreement remains valid and has not been legally contested. In a press release, Arterium emphasized that the company continues to operate normally, with no current legal or other restrictions affecting its management, stock transactions, or business activities.
Background on the case indicates that in January 2026, media reports cited representatives of Sofia Zhevago discussing protective measures in the High Court related to the Francombe Ventures Limited dispute.
In response, Arterium asserted that neither the corporation nor its shareholders are parties to the corporate dispute regarding Francombe Ventures Limited. The new shareholders obtained corporate rights through a purchase agreement with the company, which remains valid and unchallenged.
Arterium’s current court ruling specifically addresses the Zhevago family’s claim to be recognized as beneficial owners of Francombe Ventures Limited, while the sale agreement of the Arterium Group from December 2025 was not under review.
Arterium is recognized as one of Ukraine’s leading pharmaceutical companies, specializing in the distribution and marketing of medicinal products, medical devices, and dietary supplements. Its product portfolio includes approximately 170 items, encompassing both generic and patented original medications.
The company primarily focuses on producing antimicrobial and cardiological drugs, as well as treatments for the nervous, digestive, dermatological, urological, and endocrine systems. Currently, Arterium’s products are available in ten countries, with manufacturing taking place both in Ukraine and abroad.
The High Court of England and Wales has dismissed a claim by Konstantin and Sofia Zhevago regarding ownership of Francombe Ventures Limited, affirming the validity of a previous sale agreement involving the Arterium Group. The ruling clarifies the ongoing corporate structure and operations of Arterium amidst the legal dispute.