Catalent Takes Juniper Pharmaceuticals Private
Catalent, Inc. (NASDAQ: CTLT), a contract research organization (CRO), announced its acquisition of thinly traded nano cap Juniper Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: JPR) for $139.6 million. Catalent, based in Somerset, New Jersey, offers development services, delivery technologies and supply solutions for drugs and biologics. On a trailing 12-month basis, the company generated revenue of $2.4 billion, and EBITDA of $484.6 million. Juniper, based in Boston, Massachusetts, focuses on developing novel intra-vaginal therapeutics that address unmet medical needs in women’s health. This deal includes Juniper’s UK-based Juniper Pharma Services division, a high-end CRO. The transaction... Read More »
Charles River Labs Adds MPI Research
The CRO deals just keep coming. Four have been announced since the beginning of the year, targeting contract research organizations (CROs). The latest announcement came from Charles River Laboratories International (NYSE: CRL), which is paying $800 million for Mattawan, Michigan-based MPI Research. This is the highest disclosed price for an acquisition by Charles River since 2011. MPI is a premier non-clinical contract research organization (CRO) that provides comprehensive testing services to biopharmaceutical and medical device companies worldwide. Its acquisition enhances Charles River’s ability to partner with clients across the drug discovery and development continuum. This... Read More »
Clinical Trial Software Companies Are Hot
The digital health sector is benefitting big-time from the explosion in drug discovery transactions in 2017. Investors are now targeting eHealth companies specializing in clinical trial software. The statistics behind the surge in mergers and acquisitions in the drug discovery market are impressive. Through the first week in November, 43 deals targeting contract research organizations (CROs) have been announced, up nearly 70% from this time in 2016, and a 760% increase from this time in 2015. Biotechnology deals are speeding up as well, up nearly 30% from the past two years. Pharmaceutical companies are a main driver of demand in these sectors. Rather than fund in-house R&D, Big Pharma... Read More »
CRO Deals Pile Up, and So Do the Multiples
After 34 announced transactions in 2017, the news that one contract research organization (CRO) bought another CRO is downright yawn-inducing. This space is undergoing rapid consolidation, no question. Before this week, those 34 deals had a combined total of approximately $20.9 billion. Add another deal, and another $950 million, and the market just got a tad smaller. Catalent, Inc. (NYSE: CTLT) announced the 35th deal in this sector on September 19. Its target, Indiana-based Cook Pharmica LLC, is a biologics-focused contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) with capabilities across biologics development, clinical and commercial cell culture manufacturing,... Read More »
CROs Are Buying, Too
A few CROs, like PRA Health Sciences, are turning to eHealth acquisitions to strengthen their data technology capabilities. We already know that CROs are popular targets. But CROs can play the role of acquirer, too. Lately, a few of these companies have been busy claiming eHealth targets to advance their technological capabilities, namely data capabilities. On August 7, 2017, PRA Health Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ: PRAH) acquired privately-held Symphony Health Solutions Corporation. The deal valued Symphony at $530 million, or 2.65x revenue. But, that value could be even larger depending on Symphony Health exceeding financial targets in 2017 and 2018 Symphony Health Solutions Corporation... Read More »Schedule a demo
Gain access to the best healthcare and long-term care investment intelligence, data, and analysis.
