• The joint investment will foster future growth and innovation in the near-and long-term
• During Nordic Capital’s ownership to date, Advanz Pharma has transformed into a leading European specialty pharmaceutical platform

Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (“Ontario Teachers’”), a leading global institutional investor, and Nordic Capital, one of the most active and experienced investors in healthcare globally, have agreed to jointly invest in Advanz Pharma (“Advanz”), a global pharmaceutical company, to support Advanz’s development and further fuel its strong growth potential in the years to come.

Advanz is a global pharmaceutical company with a strategic focus on specialty, hospital and rare diseases pharmaceuticals. It has commercial sales in more than 90 countries globally with a direct presence in key countries in Europe, the US, Canada, and Australia, and a Centre of Excellence for business support in Mumbai, India.

Advanz’s product portfolio and pipeline comprise innovative medicines, specialty generics & biosimilars and originator brands. Advanz addresses a broad range of therapeutic areas, including hepatology, gastroenterology, anti-infectives, critical care, endocrinology, CNS, and, more broadly, rare diseases. Following Nordic Capital’s initial investment in 2021, Advanz scaled its European presence significantly and built a strong pipeline including innovative rare disease medicines and biosimilars.

Jean-Charles Douin, Senior Managing Director and co-Head of EMEA Private Capital at Ontario Teachers’, said: “Advanz aligns well with our strategy of backing proven management teams in businesses with strong growth potential. With speciality pharmaceuticals a key area of focus for us in healthcare, we look forward to working together with Nordic Capital and the Advanz management team to support its existing and future pipeline, and drive innovation and growth across its global platform.”

Rainer Lenhard, Partner, Nordic Capital Advisors added: “We are excited for Nordic Capital to continue its investment in Advanz together with Ontario Teachers’. This joint investment will support Advanz’s continued development in the years to come and allow the company to continue to scale its business model further and build on the market dynamics in its segment.”

Raj Shah, Partner and Head of Healthcare, Nordic Capital Advisors commented: “During Nordic Capital’s ownership, Advanz has been transformed into a leading European specialty pharma platform by building a best-in-class infrastructure and successfully launching pipeline products during the last few years, enabling future growth in innovative medicines, and a strong track-record of executing on M&A opportunities.”

Steffen Wagner, CEO, Advanz Pharma said: “We are excited to continue our growth journey together with Nordic Capital and Ontario Teachers’. To have them jointly backing our growth ambitions validates our strategy, the capabilities of our team, and increases the positive impact we can deliver for patients.”

Nordic Capital initially invested in Advanz Pharma in 2021 and will now invest via Nordic Capital XI, following the exit of its initial investment through Nordic Capital X.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed, and the investment is subject to regulatory approvals.

Private Capital at Ontario Teachers’ has over C$60bn of assets globally and uses its deep industry expertise and global network to make control or co-control investments in focus sectors. With a dedicated global healthcare team, Ontario Teachers’ has deployed over C$5bn across 16 healthcare investments in its private capital portfolio, focusing on investments in life sciences, pharmaceutical services, medtech, and healthcare service providers.

Nordic Capital has assets under management of €30bn and invests in selected sectors and companies in Northern Europe and North America, offering partnership, deep sector knowledge, capital and experience to drive sustainable growth. It is one of the most active investors in healthcare globally, focusing on investing in in companies within Medtech, Pharma, Care services and Healthtech. To date, Nordic Capital has made 35 healthcare platform investments and has in total deployed €9.3bn of equity capital in the sector.

Contact Details

Ontario Teachers’
Henrietta Dehn
Email: Henrietta_dehn@otpp.com
Tel: +44 7407 795 960

Kekst CNC
Email: otpp@kcnc.com

Nordic Capital
Katarina Janerud, Communications Manager,
Nordic Capital Advisors
Tel: +46 8 440 50 50
e-mail: katarina.janerud@nordiccapital.com

About Ontario Teachers’ 

Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (Ontario Teachers’) is a global investor with net assets of $249.8 billion as at June 30, 2023. We invest in more than 50 countries in a broad array of assets including public and private equities, fixed income, credit, commodities, natural resources, infrastructure, real estate and venture growth to deliver retirement income for 336,000 working members and pensioners.

With offices in Toronto, London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Mumbai, San Francisco, New York, Dallas, and São Paulo, our more than 400 investment professionals bring deep expertise in a broad range of sectors and industries. We are a fully funded defined benefit pension plan and have earned an annual total-fund net return of 9.4% since the plan’s founding in 1990. At Ontario Teachers’, we don’t just invest to make a return, we invest to shape a better future for the teachers we serve, the businesses we back, and the world we live in. For more information, visit otpp.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

About Nordic Capital

Nordic Capital is a leading sector-specialised private equity investor with a resolute commitment to creating stronger, sustainable businesses through operational improvement and transformative growth. Nordic Capital focuses on selected regions and sectors where it has deep experience and a long history. Focus sectors are Healthcare, Technology & Payments, Financial Services, and Industrial & Business Services. Key regions are Europe and globally for Healthcare and Technology & Payments investments. Since inception in 1989, Nordic Capital has invested EUR 23 billion in 140 investments. The most recent entities are Nordic Capital XI with EUR 9.0 billion in committed capital and Nordic Capital Evolution with EUR 1.2 billion in committed capital, principally provided by international institutional investors such as pension funds. Nordic Capital Advisors have local offices in Sweden, the UK, the US, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and South Korea. For further information about Nordic Capital, please visit www.nordiccapital.com.

“Nordic Capital” refers to, depending on the context, any, or all, Nordic Capital branded entities, vehicles, structures, and associated entities. The general partners and/or delegated portfolio managers of Nordic Capital’s entities and vehicles are advised by several non-discretionary sub-advisory entities, any or all of which are referred to as “Nordic Capital Advisors”.

About Advanz Pharma

Advanz Pharma is a global pharmaceutical company with the purpose to improve patients’ lives by providing and enhancing the specialty, hospital, and rare disease medicines they depend on. Our headquarters are in London, UK. We have commercial sales in more than 90 countries globally and have a direct commercial presence in more than 20 countries, including key countries in Europe, the US, Canada, and Australia, a Centre of Excellence in Mumbai, India, as well as an established global distribution and commercialisation partner network. Advanz’s product portfolio and pipeline comprise innovative medicines, specialty generics & biosimilars, and originator brands. Our products cover a broad range of therapeutic areas, including hepatology, gastroenterology, anti-infectives, critical care, endocrinology, oncology, CNS, and, more broadly, rare disease medicines. Our ambition is to be a partner of choice for the commercialisation of specialty, hospital, and rare disease medicines in Europe, Canada, and Australia. In line with our ambition, we are partnering with biopharma and development companies to bring medicines to patients. We can only achieve this due to our dedicated and highly qualified employees, acting in line with our company values of entrepreneurship, speed, and integrity. For more information, please visit https://www.advanzpharma.com

• Investment will accelerate IntegriChain’s ambitious growth targets and cement its status as a leading platform for pharma manufacturers to bring their science to market 
• Further strengthens Nordic Capital’s record as a leading healthcare and technology investorNordic Capital has signed an agreement to acquire a majority share in IntegriChain, a leading provider of pharmaceutical technology, data, consulting, and outsourcing solutions designed to improve how life sciences products reach customers. IntegriChain delivers pharma’s only fully integrated platform for commercialization and market access, helping manufacturers bring their science to market while ensuring patients have affordable, timely, and sustainable access to therapy. Nordic Capital is acquiring the majority stake from Accel-KKR, a global software private equity firm, which first invested in IntegriChain in 2016.IntegriChain’s integrated ICyte Platform helps connect the commercial, financial, and operational dimensions of drug access and profitability. ICyte enables pharmaceutical innovators to achieve better commercial outcomes by digitalizing daily and recurring business activities and integrating data and operations across contracting, pricing, channel and distribution, and gross-to-net.

  “IntegriChain has established a significant position over the last 17 years as a leader in access and commercialization for life sciences – helping manufacturers of all size from strategy to operational execution. We are confident that the company will continue its already strong record of growth by helping customers address their most pressing market access challenges as the industry evolves. The fact that IntegriChain supports more than 400 pharmaceutical customers speaks to the quality of the platform, data, and services they provide. We’re certain that Nordic Capital’s experience supporting companies with similar ambitions, our extensive industry networks, and deep-sector knowledge will take the company to even greater heights,” said Daniel Berglund, Co-Head of Healthcare, Nordic Capital Investment Advisors.

  Josh Halpern, Co-Founder and CEO of IntegriChain, said: “We’re pleased to have Nordic Capital as a new partner to support us on our journey. We are immensely proud of the team at IntegriChain and how we help pharma manufacturers deliver winning commercialization strategies while optimizing their net revenue. With Nordic Capital’s invaluable healthcare and technology experience and expertise, I’m confident that this partnership will enable us to extend our position as a leading platform for pharma manufacturers to bring their science to market. We thank Accel-KKR for their many years of sound guidance and support to help us ready IntegriChain for this important next phase of our business development.”

  The terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Completion of the transaction is expected before year end and is subject to customary closing conditions, including relevant regulatory approvals.

  Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Harris Williams LLC are acting as financial advisors to IntegriChain. Evercore is acting as financial advisor to Nordic Capital.

  
  Media contacts:

  Nordic Capital
  Katarina Janerud
  Communications Manager, Nordic Capital Advisors
  Tel: +46 8 440 50 50
  e-mail: katarina.janerud@nordiccapital.com

  IntegriChain
  Jennifer Guinan
  Sage Strategic Marketing
  +1 610.425.8659
  jennifer@sagestrat.com

  
  About IntegriChain
  IntegriChain helps pharma manufacturers bring their science to market, ensuring patients have affordable, timely, and sustainable access to therapy. IntegriChain delivers Pharma’s only data-driven commercialization platform — from strategy to operational execution. The Company’s unique focus on data, technology, consulting, and outsourcing helps connect the commercial, financial, and operational dimensions of drug access and profitability. Through the ICyte Platform, IntegriChain enables pharmaceutical innovators to achieve better commercial outcomes by digitalizing daily and recurring business activities and by integrating data and operations across contracting, pricing, channel and distribution, and gross-to-net. IntegriChain is backed by Accel-KKR, a leading Silicon Valley technology private equity firm, and is headquartered in Philadelphia, PA, with offices in Ambler, PA, and Pune, India. For more information, visit www.integrichain.com or follow on LinkedIn.

  
  About Nordic Capital

  Nordic Capital is a leading private equity investor with a resolute commitment to creating stronger, sustainable businesses through operational improvement and transformative growth. Nordic Capital focuses on selected regions and sectors where it has deep experience and a long history. Focus sectors are Healthcare, Technology & Payments, Financial Services, and selectively, Industrial & Business Services. Key regions are Europe and globally for Healthcare and Technology & Payments investments. Since inception in 1989, Nordic Capital has invested EUR 23 billion in 140 investments. The most recent entities are Nordic Capital XI with EUR 9.0 billion in committed capital and Nordic Capital Evolution with EUR 1.2 billion in committed capital, principally provided by international institutional investors such as pension funds. Nordic Capital Advisors have local offices in Sweden, the UK, the US, Germany, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and South Korea. For further information about Nordic Capital, please visit www.nordiccapital.com.

  “Nordic Capital” refers to, depending on the context, any, or all, Nordic Capital branded entities, vehicles, structures, and associated entities. The general partners and/or delegated portfolio managers of Nordic Capital’s entities and vehicles are advised by several non-discretionary sub-advisory entities, any or all of which are referred to as “Nordic Capital Advisors”

   

  About Accel-KKR

  Accel-KKR is a technology-focused investment firm with $19 billion in cumulative capital commitments. The firm focuses on software and tech-enabled businesses, well-positioned for top-line and bottom-line growth. At the core of Accel-KKR’s investment strategy is a commitment to developing strong partnerships with the management teams of its portfolio companies and a focus on building value alongside management by leveraging the significant resources available through the Accel-KKR network. Accel-KKR focuses on middle-market companies and provides a broad range of capital solutions, including buyout capital, minority-growth investments, and credit alternatives. Accel-KKR also invests across various transaction types, including private company recapitalizations, divisional carve-outs, and going-private transactions. Accel-KKR’s headquarters is in Menlo Park, with offices in Atlanta, London, and Mexico City. Visit accel-kkr.com to learn more.

WOBURN, MA – Azurity Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Azurity”) is pleased to announce the closing of its acquisition of Slayback Pharma LLC (“Slayback”) today from existing investors including KKR, a leading global investment firm, and Everstone Capital. Slayback is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Azurity.

The acquisition brings together companies with complementary strengths, enhancing Azurity’s ability to realize its purpose of Serving Overlooked Patients. The combined development portfolios are expected to yield a significant number of new medicine launches over the coming years.

Azurity leverages its integrated capabilities and vast partner network to continually expand its broad commercial product portfolio and robust pipeline. The company’s patient-centric approach is evident in its diverse array of products catering to various medical needs, including cardiovascular, central nervous system, endocrinological, gastrointestinal, anti-infectives and oncology. Many of Azurity’s medicines are dose-form innovations for patients with needs that are not met by other commercially available therapies.

“I am delighted to announce this combination and the increased potential it brings to do more for overlooked patients,” said Richard Blackburn, CEO of Azurity. “The complementary expertise of the two companies in developing innovative dose forms will result in a strong pipeline of new medicines to meet the needs of patients. We will bring the commercial expertise of Azurity to Slayback’s pipeline and look forward to introducing an even wider range of dose-forms and formulations to meet a broader set of patient needs.”

“The combination of Slayback and Azurity is a union of highly complementary capabilities: Azurity’s innovative commercial acumen and Slayback’s exceptional R&D platform. I am proud of Slayback’s team, our track record of developing complex products with unmatched speed at scale, and the rich history we have built together. I am delighted to join forces with Azurity to help forge a combined entity that is truly one of a kind” added Ajay Singh, Founder and CEO of Slayback.

“We are pleased to add Slayback’s complementary product pipeline and robust R&D capabilities to Azurity. The acquisition of Slayback accelerates Azurity’s strategic growth plan and enhances our ability to launch multiple innovative new drug products into the market every year to serve overlooked patients,” said Jeff Edwards, Partner at QHP Capital, the majority owner of Azurity.

“We have enjoyed working closely with Ajay and Slayback’s impressive management team to scale and support the platform as a leading provider of complex pharmaceuticals,” said Ali Satvat, Partner and Global Head of Health Care Strategic Growth at KKR. “Together we have established an extensive pipeline that Azurity will further build upon, helping to increase accessibility to health care for patients.”

Greenhill & Co. served as financial advisor and White & Case served as legal advisor to Azurity.  Leerink Partners served as lead financial advisor and Raymond James as co-advisor to Slayback while Kirkland & Ellis served as legal advisor to Slayback.

About Azurity Pharmaceuticals:

Azurity is a privately-held pharmaceutical company specializing in providing innovative, high-quality medicines that serve overlooked patients. Azurity supplies a large number of products to treat a wide range of medical conditions. These include cardiovascular, central nervous system, endocrine, gastro-intestinal, anti-infective and oncology medicines. Many of Azurity’s medicines are dose-form innovations for patients with needs that are not met by other available products. Azurity’s medicines have benefited millions of people. For more information, please visit www.azurity.com.

About QHP Capital:

QHP Capital is an investor in technology and services companies in the life sciences and healthcare sectors. QHP traces its heritage back to Quintiles (now IQVIA) and NovaQuest Capital Management. QHP has built an investment platform to provide strategic capital and industry expertise in partnership with strong management teams. The investment team consists of seasoned investment and operational professionals with significant investment experience and deep life science and healthcare expertise. QHP benefits from an extensive network of industry experts and relationships that assist in identifying, analyzing, and growing QHP’s portfolio companies. QHP also manages the NovaQuest Private Equity funds. For more information, please visit www.qhpcapital.com.

Contacts:

For Azurity Pharmaceuticals
Ronald L. Scarboro
rscarboro@azurity.com

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Hamburg/Roßdorf, 20. September 2023. GBA Group is expanding its range of toxicology services for customers in the chemical, medical device and pharmaceutical industries with the acquisition of ICCR-Roßdorf GmbH (ICCR-Roßdorf) from investor FIELDS Group. This acquisition underlines GBA Group’s ambition to position itself broadly as an international life science service provider through targeted portfolio expansions and investment in leading CROs.

Today’s ICCR-Roßdorf GmbH (Institute for Competence Contract Research – Roßdorf) was founded in 1986 and has its headquarters with almost 100 employees in Roßdorf near Darmstadt. The focus of ICCR-Rossdorf is the investigation of the genotoxic potential of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, cosmetics and chemicals. For customers in the field of medical devices, the service portfolio is supplemented with modified protocols for the investigation of the effects of extracts.

Dr. Sabine Gorynia, Executive Vice President Pharma & Medical Devices, GBA Group, underlines the synergies resulting from the merger: “With more than 30 years of experience, one of the world’s leading Gentox providers enriches the portfolio and business network of GBA Group. We are pleased to further strengthen our growth in the preclinical area together with our colleagues from ICCR-Roßdorf and to be able to offer our national and international customers another important component in an even broader service portfolio.”

Dr. Markus Schulz, Managing Director of ICCR: “The constructive and open discussion in the run-up to the transaction showed that the closer cooperation between GBA Group and ICCR-Roßdorf offers great opportunities. This applies both to the broad use of the solutions and expertise we have developed in the toxicology field within the GBA Group and to joint projects in the development of innovative assays in new areas of application.”

About GBA Group

GBA Group is an international life science service company with more than 2,000 employees in 8 countries and a broad range of analytical, logistical and specialist services in the fields of pharmaceuticals, medical products, cosmetics, chemicals, food, drinking water and the environmental sustainability. The range of services offered by the GBA Group includes laboratory analytics, data management, special logistical services for clinical trials, as well as consulting services for private companies and public institutions in connection with their activities in the fields of research, product development, market development, and consumer protection. Through its work, the GBA Group makes a sustainable contribution to public health, the environment and society as a whole.

About FIELDS Group

FIELDS Group is an entrepreneurial, hands-on investor focused on developing businesses with potential. FIELDS invests in companies headquartered in the Benelux and DACH regions and achieves fundamental transformations with its team.

Controlant, a global leader in real-time pharma supply chain monitoring and visibility technologies, today announced it has received $40m in financing to support future growth from Funds advised by Apax Credit, the credit-investing arm of Apax Partners LLP (“Apax”).

Controlant is a global leader in the digital transformation of pharma supply chains. The company’s vision is to deliver zero-waste supply chains for its partners and the planet through digitalisation, automation, and transformation of the pharma supply chain. Controlant‘s holistic solution framework encompasses cloud-enabled software platform, coupled with advanced IoT devices,  and cost-reducing operational services that increase supply chain efficiency and responsiveness while supporting quality, compliance, and sustainability efforts.

“As pharma companies continue to innovate at pace and introduce breakthrough medicines and vaccines, it is incredibly important that modern supply chains match this pace and serve as enablers in ensuring medicines reach patients safely, and sustainably. That is our vision, and we are working tirelessly to create the next generation of zero-waste supply chains for our pharma customers”, said Gisli Herjolfsson, CEO and co-founder, Controlant.  “We are thankful for Apax Credit’s support on this journey, which will enable us to accelerate our roadmap of innovative solutions for our customers rapidly evolving and complex supply chain needs.”

The financing will help the company to accelerate growth, expand its already comprehensive and market-leading offering to global customers, and capitalise on strong tailwinds in the supply chain technology sector.

“Apax’s credit strategy provides flexible capital solutions for stand-out businesses across Apax’s four core sectors. Leveraging insights from across Apax and Apax Credit, we were pleased to provide a tailored solution for Controlant, designed to help the company in its next phase of growth”, said Albert Costa Centena, Principal, Apax Credit. “We are excited to partner with the team, leveraging our sector insights, operational expertise, and the wider Apax platform to support a business at the cutting edge of real-time visibility technology for pharma supply chains.”

– Ends –

About Controlant

Controlant is a global leader in the digital transformation of pharma supply chains. Our vision is to deliver zero-waste supply chains for our partners and the planet through digitalization, automation, and transformation of the pharma supply chain.

Our validated real-time visibility platform, command center, services, and advanced IoT devices, are trusted by many of the world’s leading pharmaceutical and logistics companies to make their operations significantly more reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable. Ultimately, our solutions help get life-saving medicines to more patients, curing more diseases.

With over 500 employees of more than 40 nationalities, Controlant continues to expand globally. Founded in 2007 and backed by a strong investor base, Controlant generated around USD 133 million in revenues in 2022. More information at controlant.com

About Apax Credit and Apax

Established 10 years ago, Apax Credit is fully integrated into the wider Apax Platform, fully leveraging Apax’ 50 years of experience. Like the Apax Private Equity Funds, the Apax Credit Fund focuses on investments in four core sectors: Tech, Services, Healthcare and Internet/Consumer, and within each they identify attractive sub-sectors where they can offer differentiated propositions to companies, their management teams, and wider stakeholders. The Apax Credit strategy benefits from a flexible mandate, allowing the team to focus on the credit solutions that offer the best fit in each case. For further information, please visit: https://www.apax.com/create/strategies/apax-credit/

Apax Partners LLP (“Apax”) is a leading global private equity advisory firm. For 50 years, Apax has worked to inspire growth and ideas that transform businesses. The firm has raised and advised funds with aggregate commitments of more than $65 billion. The Apax Funds invest in companies across four global sectors of Tech, Services, Healthcare, and Internet/Consumer. These funds provide long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world-class companies. For further information about Apax, please visit www.apax.com.

GLOBAL MEDIA CONTACT

Katarina Sallerfors

t: +44 20 7872 6300

Luke Charalambous

t: +44 20 7872 6300

The requisite majority of Dechra shareholders approved the recommended cash acquisition of Dechra Pharmaceuticals plc (the “Acquisition”) at the court meeting and general meeting, each held on 20 July

Each Dechra shareholder will be entitled to receive 3,875 pence in cash for each Dechra share held under, and subject to, the terms of the Acquisition set out in the scheme document, valuing the ordinary share capital of Dechra at approximately GBP 4.459 billion on a fully diluted basis

EQT Private Equity believes it is well positioned to support Dechra’s next phase of growth, bringing to bear its experience from investments into the animal health value chain