Pharmaceuticals Acquisitions in 2024

Zentiva AG completed its voluntary public purchase offer for APONTIS PHARMA AG and now holds approximately 83.57% of the share capital and 85.27% of the voting rights. Under the investment agreement, APONTIS PHARMA's management board will seek to terminate trading of its shares on the Freiverkehr market immediately after settlement; Zentiva (a private-equity-backed pan‑European pharmaceutical platform) said this transaction supports its inorganic growth and portfolio expansion in cardiovascular medicines.

CBC Group, in partnership with Mubadala Investment Company, has completed the US$680 million acquisition of UCB’s mature neurology and allergy product portfolio in China, including brands such as Keppra, Vimpat, Neupro, Zyrtec and Xyzal and a manufacturing site in Zhuhai. The assets have been combined into a new company named NeuroGen Pharma as an anchor platform to build an integrated CNS biopharma business in China and expand capability in neurology and allergy treatments.

Experic, a Cranbury, New Jersey-based CDMO and clinical trial supply services firm, received a growth capital investment led by 1315 Capital with participation from existing investors East Seattle Partners, Harro Höfliger Packaging Systems, Inc., and Kineticos Ventures. The capital will be used to enhance Experic’s manufacturing capabilities and accelerate its international expansion to better serve biopharmaceutical clients.

U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) has acquired Stratix Labs, a Saint Paul, Minnesota-based microbiology technology company, to expand USP’s microbiological quality-control offerings and contamination-control capabilities. The acquisition brings Stratix Labs' microbial preservation products and the Enverify competency solution into USP’s portfolio to better serve pharmaceutical manufacturers, biopharma developers, and compounding entities.

MidEuropa has acquired a controlling stake in FAMAR, a European contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO), from ECM Partners and Metric Capital Partners, with current shareholders and management reinvesting alongside MidEuropa. FAMAR employs around 1,900 people across six manufacturing sites and two R&D centres in southern Europe and will use MidEuropa's backing to support further growth and capability expansion in pharmaceutical manufacturing and R&D.

Ardena, a GHO Capital-backed CDMO, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Catalent's FDA-approved drug product manufacturing facility in Somerset, New Jersey. The acquisition — expected to close in early 2025 subject to approvals — expands Ardena's US footprint and downstream capabilities in oral solid dosage manufacturing and bioanalytical services.

SHS Capital, together with its limited partners and other existing shareholders, is investing approximately €10 million in Develco Pharma to expand manufacturing capacity and accelerate product development in response to exceptionally strong demand. Develco, a specialty pharma developer and manufacturer of modified-release formulations headquartered in Pratteln (DACH region), has been backed by SHS since 2020 and reports an order book exceeding 12 months of revenue.

Actylis has acquired Pharm-Rx, a Saddle Brook, New Jersey-based supplier of specialty ingredients for the vitamin, mineral and supplement (VMS), OTC and pharmaceutical markets. The deal expands Actylis' nutrition and OTC capabilities and supplier partnerships; Pharm-Rx will continue to operate under its brand and Mark Bostel will become President, Global Nutrition and OTC for Actylis. Financial terms were not disclosed.

New Harbor Capital completed a single-asset continuation recapitalization of LGM Pharma in partnership with Origami Capital Partners to provide growth capital and facilitate liquidity for existing investors. LGM Pharma is a CDMO and API sourcing/distribution platform with manufacturing and analytical capabilities serving pharmaceutical, biotechnology and compounding pharmacy customers across multiple U.S. facilities.

RF Investment Partners announced a platform investment in Long Island-based sister companies Altro and Amici Pharmaceuticals, partnering with Aquimont Capital and Miramar Equity Partners to support growth in the companion animal/veterinary pharmaceutical market. The investment provides flexible debt and equity capital to expand sourcing, manufacturing and distribution capabilities for generic pharmaceuticals that serve both veterinary and human end markets.

Organon has acquired Dermavant Sciences Ltd. from Roivant in a transaction that adds VTAMA (tapinarof) cream, 1% — a FDA‑approved, non‑steroidal topical for plaque psoriasis — to Organon’s dermatology portfolio. The deal is valued at up to approximately $1.2 billion (including $175 million upfront, additional regulatory and commercial milestones, and tiered royalties) and is intended to expand Organon’s dermatology capabilities and global commercial reach.

Bain Capital Life Sciences led a strategic growth investment of more than $200 million in Serán Bioscience, with existing investor Vivo Capital remaining a key shareholder. The capital will fund a new commercial-scale manufacturing campus in Bend, Oregon, expanding Serán's development, analytical and commercial manufacturing capabilities across multiple drug delivery modalities.

Hims & Hers has acquired MedisourceRx, the FDA-registered 503B outsourcing facility and business unit of Nivagen Pharmaceuticals. Bourne Partners served as exclusive financial adviser to Nivagen; proceeds from the sale will allow Nivagen to complete a sterile injectables facility in California and advance its pipeline.

Global private equity firm CVC invested KRW 200 billion in South Korea's PharmaResearch via redeemable convertible preferred shares (RCPS). The minority growth investment will support PharmaResearch’s overseas market entry, strategic M&A activity, and R&D/product pipeline expansion in aesthetic injectables and regenerative medicines.

Bend Bioscience has unified CoreRx and Societal CDMO under the Bend Bioscience brand to form an integrated contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO). The consolidation combines CoreRx’s formulation development expertise, Societal CDMO’s scalable cGMP manufacturing and packaging capabilities, and Bend Bioscience’s research and technology to offer end-to-end development-to-commercialization services across facilities in Bend, Oregon; Clearwater, Florida; and Gainesville, Georgia.

Platinum Equity has acquired a controlling stake in Inventia Healthcare Limited's core Oral Solid Dosage (OSD) business from India Life Sciences Fund III (advised by InvAscent), NYLIM Jacob Ballas India Fund III and affiliates of the founding Shah family, with the Shah family retaining a minority stake. Headquartered in Mumbai, Inventia is a U.S. FDA- and MHRA-accredited contract manufacturer and developer of generic OSD products serving more than 100 customers across 40+ countries; Platinum plans to expand the business organically and via add-on acquisitions.

Japanese chemical manufacturer NOF Corporation completed a strategic minority investment in Phosphorex, a Hopkinton, Massachusetts-based drug-delivery CDMO backed by Ampersand Capital Partners. The investment will fund acceleration of Phosphorex's cGMP capabilities and strengthen collaboration on lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technologies and NOF's COATSOME SS series ionizable lipids.

Mason Capital Management LLC announced the expiration and settlement of its tender offer for Forward Pharma A/S, purchasing 1,344 ADSs at $437.00 per ADS (or 0.76 DKK per ordinary share). The accepted ADSs were settled on August 1, 2024, following the July 31, 2024 expiration of the offer.

Avista Healthcare Partners has completed the acquisition of Trillium Health Care Products, a Brockville, Ontario-based CDMO specializing in branded over‑the‑counter (OTC) products, from New Water Capital. Avista plans to invest in Trillium’s growth, expand its footprint and capabilities, and use the business as a consumer‑healthcare platform for potential strategic add‑on acquisitions.

Collegium Pharmaceutical has agreed to acquire Ironshore Therapeutics for $525 million in cash, with a potential additional $25 million contingent on 2025 commercial performance. The acquisition adds the ADHD therapy JORNAY PM to Collegium's portfolio, establishing a commercial presence in neurology/ADHD and is funded with Collegium's cash plus a new five-year secured financing led by funds managed by Pharmakon Advisors.

Grünenthal has acquired Chicago-based Valinor Pharma, including global rights to Movantik (naloxegol), in a transaction valued at about $250 million. The deal strengthens Grünenthal's U.S. footprint and adds an established pain-management product to its portfolio after Valinor scaled Movantik sales using Apollo Care's commercial and patient-access solutions.

Agilent Technologies has acquired BIOVECTRA, a Canada-based contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), for $925 million. The acquisition — a purchase from H.I.G. Capital — expands Agilent's CDMO capabilities across biologics, HPAPIs, pDNA/mRNA and LNP formulation, and integrates BIOVECTRA into Agilent's Diagnostics and Genomics Group.

Funds managed by Hamilton Lane have acquired a significant equity interest in Cosette Pharmaceuticals from Avista Capital Partners and its co-investors. Avista and Hamilton Lane will jointly control Cosette as the company strengthens its balance sheet to accelerate R&D, product innovation and future M&A activity.

Lantheus Holdings, Inc. announced the acquisition of Meilleur Technologies, Inc., giving Lantheus worldwide exclusive rights to NAV-4694 (F18-flutafuranol), a Phase 3 ß-amyloid PET imaging agent for Alzheimer’s disease. The deal includes an upfront payment plus potential development/commercial milestones and royalties, and the sellers will provide transition and clinical development services following closing.

HEALWELL AI Inc. (TSX: AIDX) has acquired BioPharma Services Inc., a Toronto-based contract research organization (CRO), from Think Research Corporation. The acquisition expands HEALWELL's clinical research capabilities by integrating BioPharma's Phase 1/2a and bioequivalence trial expertise with HEALWELL's AI, patient databases and clinic network.

MedPharm and Tergus Pharma have merged and will operate under the MedPharm name to create an integrated, end-to-end topical and transdermal CDMO. Ampersand Capital Partners and Bourne Partners Strategic Capital assume majority ownership of the combined company while Great Point Partners retains a significant minority stake; Michael Kane is appointed CEO and Patrick Walsh remains Executive Chairman.

Cooper Consumer Health has completed the acquisition of the Over-the-Counter (OTC) business of Viatris Inc., following regulatory approvals and worker council consultations. The deal brings more than 200 brands (including Betadine, Saugella, Armolipid and CB12), two manufacturing sites in Mérignac (France) and Confienza (Italy) and an R&D centre in Monza (Italy) into Cooper's platform, doubling Cooper's revenues to approximately €1.2bn.

LSL Pharma Group Inc. (TSXV: LSL) has completed the acquisition of Virage Santé Inc., a Lévis, Quebec-based manufacturer of natural health products, for $2.5 million in cash. The deal includes an 8,000 sq ft manufacturing plant and is expected to expand LSL's contract development and manufacturing capabilities, boosting the group's revenues by an estimated 15-20% and broadening its client base.

Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. completed a tender offer and merger to acquire all outstanding shares of Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, paying $25.60 per share for a total consideration of approximately $2.4 billion. Deciphera becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Ono; Ono said the acquisition will strengthen its oncology R&D capabilities and commercialization footprint in the United States and Europe to accelerate pipeline and global expansion.

Aterian Investment Partners, through an affiliate, has acquired Contract Pharmaceuticals Limited (CPL), a Mississauga-based CDMO specializing in non-sterile liquid and semi-solid pharmaceutical and OTC products. Aterian said it will invest in people, technology and processes to support CPL's next phase of growth and further strengthen its position serving global pharmaceutical customers.

Formosa Laboratories, Inc., a Taiwan-based API supplier and CDMO, has completed its acquisition of SynChem, Inc., a contract research laboratory in suburban Chicago. SynChem will operate as SynChem-Formosa with Dr. W. Paul Mar remaining as CEO as the combined operations expand Formosa's US CDMO capabilities for small-molecule APIs and ADC-related chemistries.

Oakley Capital Fund V is investing in ProductLife Group, a European provider of outsourced development, regulatory and compliance services to the life sciences industry. Oakley will partner with management and reinvesting shareholder 21 Invest to support international expansion, accelerate AI-driven technology enablement, and pursue a buy-and-build strategy.

Selvita S.A. has completed the acquisition of 100% of the shares in PozLab, a Poznan-based CDMO providing drug product development, analytical and microbiological testing, and small pilot plant manufacturing under GMP. The deal expands Selvita's service offering beyond preclinical research into small-molecule drug manufacturing for early-stage clinical trials and strengthens its position in the pharmaceutical research value chain.

Myonex has completed the acquisition of Creapharm's pharmaceutical services business, integrating Creapharm's clinical packaging, commercial packaging and bioservices into its global clinical trial supply platform. The deal brings Creapharm's cold-chain and ultra-cold capabilities and expands Myonex's service offering and European footprint; Creapharm founder Eric Placet has reinvested and joined the Myonex board.

Essential Pharma has acquired rights to Reminyl (galantamine hydrobromide) oral capsules from Janssen Pharmaceutica NV (a Johnson & Johnson company). The deal transfers rights in the EEA, South Korea, Thailand and other current markets (excluding the UK & Ireland, Japan and Latin America), expanding Essential Pharma’s CNS portfolio and its presence in the Asia‑Pacific region.

India-focused PE firm ChrysCapital is investing about $70 million to acquire a minority stake in Ahmedabad-based pharmaceutical company La Renon. The growth investment will support La Renon's expansion plans across chronic therapeutic segments, strengthen manufacturing and R&D capabilities, and fund geographic expansion into international markets.

CoreRx, Inc. completed its acquisition of Societal CDMO, Inc. through a tender offer and subsequent short-form merger, acquiring approximately 92.8% of outstanding shares at $1.10 per share. Societal CDMO is now a wholly owned subsidiary of CoreRx and its common stock will be delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market.

Apotex Inc. has completed the acquisition of Montreal-based Searchlight Pharma Inc., integrating Searchlight as Apotex's Specialty Pharma Division to expand its branded and specialty pharmaceutical capabilities. The deal adds Searchlight's portfolio of more than 60 products across women's health, dermatology, allergy, pain management and hospital specialty markets, and strengthens Apotex's commercial footprint in Quebec and across the Americas.

Essential Pharma has completed the acquisition of all issued share capital of Renaissance Pharma Ltd, gaining the clinical-stage immunotherapy Hu14.18K322A (Hu14.18) for treatment of high‑risk neuroblastoma. The deal adds a development‑stage rare disease oncology asset to Essential Pharma's portfolio; Renaissance's CEO Simon Ball and members of the Renaissance team will continue to work with Essential on further development in partnership with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Blue Wolf Capital Partners has agreed to acquire seven oral solid dosage (OSD) manufacturing and development facilities from Recipharm (located in Sweden, France and Spain) and has also agreed, subject to regulatory approvals, to acquire Synerlab, a Strasbourg-based CDMO. The transactions are intended to form a new independent CDMO platform (headquartered in the UK) that expands Blue Wolf's pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities and commercial reach across Europe.

Juvisé Pharmaceuticals has acquired global commercial rights (excluding the United States and Canada) to Ponvory (ponesimod) from Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd., a Johnson & Johnson company. To fund the transaction, French sovereign fund Bpifrance and private credit manager Pemberton Asset Management took minority stakes in Juvisé; Juvisé will commercialize and assume manufacturing duties for Ponvory in Europe.

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. has signed a deal to acquire Northern Green Canada, an EU-GMP certified Canadian licensed cannabis producer, to secure high-quality indoor EU-GMP flower supply and bolster Curaleaf's European and Australasian expansion. The acquisition is expected to close in Q2 2024 pending regulatory approvals and will strengthen Curaleaf's supply chain for key markets including Germany, Australia/New Zealand and the U.K.

Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited has completed the acquisition of ARTMS Inc., a Burnaby, British Columbia-based developer of cyclotron-based isotope production technology and the QUANTM Irradiation System (QIS). The deal strengthens Telix's vertical integration and supply-chain control for key diagnostic and therapeutic radioisotopes (including 89Zr, 68Ga, 99mTc and 64Cu) to support its commercial products and pipeline.

Exponent, a European private equity firm, has agreed to acquire Chanelle Pharma, Ireland’s largest indigenous manufacturer of generic human and veterinary pharmaceuticals, from founder Michael H Burke. The deal, terms undisclosed, positions Exponent to invest in Chanelle’s R&D, manufacturing capabilities and international growth across its presence in Ireland, the UK, Europe and Jordan.

Arlington Capital Partners has made a majority investment in Afton Scientific, a Charlottesville-based CDMO specializing in sterile injectable drug manufacturing and related lab/packaging services. The partnership will support Afton's capacity growth and expansion of service offerings while founder and CEO Tom Thorpe remains a material shareholder and will continue to lead the company.

Laboratorios Sanfer has acquired Vitalis S.A.C.I., a Bogotá-based manufacturer and wholesaler of injectable pharmaceuticals, from ACON Investments. The transaction — first announced under a definitive agreement in January 2024 and completed in February 2025 — expands Sanfer's manufacturing footprint and product portfolio across Latin America; terms were not disclosed.

Cosette Pharmaceuticals, a U.S. specialty pharmaceutical company backed by Avista Healthcare Partners, has acquired the Vyleesi (bremelanotide) product and related intellectual property from Palatin Technologies. The deal transfers five Orange Book-listed patents (protection through 2041) and aims to expand Cosette’s women's health portfolio while ensuring continued patient access during the transition.

Oragenics, Inc. completed the acquisition of Odyssey Health, Inc.'s neurological drug therapy assets, including ONP-002, ONP-001 rights, a proprietary intranasal delivery device and related formulations. Odyssey retained its remaining assets and operations; Michael Redmond (former Odyssey CEO) was named President of Oragenics to oversee integration and advancement of the neurology pipeline as Oragenics prepares for Phase 2 studies of ONP-002.