BY Fraser Tennant
In a deal designed to accelerate its clinical development pipeline and drive product innovation, global medical technology company Baxter International Inc. is to divest its biopharma solutions (BPS) unit to a private equity consortium comprising Warburg Pincus and Advent International.
Under the terms of the definitive agreement, Baxter will receive $4.25bn in cash, subject to certain closing adjustments, with net after-tax proceeds currently estimated to be approximately $3.4bn.
As a standalone company and in partnership with Advent and Warburg Pincus, BPS – a provider of sterile contract manufacturing solutions, parenteral delivery systems and customised support services to the pharma and biotech industries for decades – will operate as a premier, independent end-to-end contract development manufacturing organisation providing a range of services for clients, from clinical research to commercial deployment.
The transaction includes BPS manufacturing facilities and approximately 1700 employees in Bloomington, Indiana and Halle, Germany. The deal is also expected to generate revenues of approximately $600m for 2023.
“This transaction represents an important step in Baxter’s ongoing transformation journey as we continue to execute against our strategic priorities, enhance our focus and create additional value for all our stakeholders,” said José E. Almeida, chairman, president and chief executive of Baxter. “BPS has long been recognised worldwide as a trusted and preferred partner of contract manufacturing services for the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.”
Following completion of the transaction, Baxter expects BPS to be well-positioned to accelerate its go-to-market strategy and clinical development pipeline, execute on throughput expansion and drive further product innovation.
“BPS is a premier asset at the forefront of the biopharma industry, and one we have been closely following for a number of years,” said John Maldonado, a managing partner at Advent. “Leveraging our deep sector expertise and significant strategic resources, we believe this partnership can unlock multiple opportunities for growth and help the business realise its full potential.”
TJ Carella, managing director and head of healthcare at Warburg Pincus, added: “We are excited to partner with Advent and the impressive team at BPS who have developed differentiated technical capabilities and established an industry-leading reputation for quality and reliability in the supply chain for parenteral drugs.”
The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2023, subject to receipt of customary regulatory approvals and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.
Mr Almeida concluded: “I am confident that under the stewardship of Advent and Warburg Pincus, BPS will continue to build on its leadership position, foster world-class talent, invest in new capabilities and capacity, and provide leading-edge, high-quality solutions for its clients.”