AmerisourceBergen to expand global biopharma services platform with acquisition of PharmaLex

AmerisourceBergen Corporation announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire PharmaLex Holding GmbH, a leading provider of specialized services for the life sciences industry, from AUCTUS Capital Partners AG for €1.28 billion in cash, subject to certain customary adjustments. The transaction will advance AmerisourceBergen’s role as partner of choice for biopharmaceutical manufacturers by enhancing AmerisourceBergen’s global portfolio of solutions to support manufacturer partners across the pharmaceutical development and commercialization journey.

“The strategic acquisition of PharmaLex will expand our global platform of biopharma services, further advancing the strategy we detailed at our recent Investor Day,” said Steven H. Collis, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer. “AmerisourceBergen is committed to building on our leadership in specialty services through a continued focus on innovation and partnerships, and by acquiring PharmaLex, we will be able to further enhance our value proposition to pharmaceutical manufacturers, from emerging biotechs to global biopharmaceutical leaders. PharmaLex’s highly complementary business and strong market reputation will deepen our partnerships with manufacturers, advancing our role as a strategic partner of choice as we support end-to-end clinical and commercial enablement solutions for our pharma customers. We look forward to welcoming the PharmaLex team to create healthier futures with AmerisourceBergen.”

PharmaLex is a global team of scientific, regulatory, and safety and compliance (GxP) experts that provide strategic guidance and regulatory support to biopharma companies throughout a product’s lifecycle. The company provides tech-enabled services ranging from clinical development consulting to marketing authorization, enabling clients to efficiently bring products to global markets and diverse patient populations.

The transaction is expected to close by March 2023 and is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals.

Upon closing, the acquisition of PharmaLex is expected to be approximately $0.15 accretive to AmerisourceBergen’s adjusted diluted EPS (a non-GAAP financial measure defined herein) for the last seven months of its fiscal year 2023, which would contribute to AmerisourceBergen’s previously disclosed fiscal year 2023 growth target from capital deployment.

Headquartered in Germany, PharmaLex has global reach, with a significant footprint in Europe and the U.S. and a growing presence in other parts of the world. PharmaLex’s results will be reported as a component within AmerisourceBergen’s International Healthcare Solutions segment. The acquisition of PharmaLex will build upon AmerisourceBergen’s existing European presence in pharmaceutical distribution and biopharma manufacturer services capabilities, advancing several of AmerisourceBergen’s strategic imperatives and strengthening its differentiated position to capture significant growth opportunities in the biopharma market.

Evercore is serving as financial advisor, and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP and Sidley Austin LLP are serving as legal advisors to AmerisourceBergen. Harris Williams & Co. Corporate Finance Advisors GmbH is serving as financial advisor, and emnay Rechtsanwaltskanzlei and Noerr Partnerschaftsgesellschaft mbB are serving as legal advisors to PharmaLex.