Pharmabiz
 

Meda to buy Italian company, Rottapharm for €2.275 billion

SwedenThursday, July 31, 2014, 14:00 Hrs  [IST]

Meda, a leading international specialty pharma company, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Rottapharm¦Madaus (Rottapharm), an Italian company owned by the Rovati family, for a consideration of SEK 21.2 billion (€2.275 billion) on a cash and debt free basis. The consideration will comprise SEK 15.3 billion (€1.643 billion) in cash, 30 million Meda shares corresponding to a value of SEK 3.3 billion (€357 million) and a non-contingent deferred payment in January 2017 of SEK 2.6 billion (€275 million). Following completion of the transaction, the Rovati family will own 9 per cent of Meda.

Rottapharm S.p.A., headquartered in Monza, Italy, was founded by Professor Luigi Rovati in 1961 and has grown into a leading consumer healthcare focused branded specialty pharma company. The company’s products are differentiated through the professional endorsement of doctors and pharmacists within the consumer healthcare segment. The company combines Rx-reimbursed medications with more traditional consumer healthcare products, characterized by high scientific credibility (clinically-proven consumer healthcare products or Cx); these are high-margin, non-reimbursed, by doctors prescribed or recommended products with nearly no generic competition. Rottapharm has a global footprint with a presence in 90 countries worldwide and generated revenues of €536 million, of which 75 per cent from Cx, with a gross margin of 67 per cent and an adjusted EBITDA of €149 million implying a margin of 28 per cent in 2013. Year-to-date trading as at June 30 showed sales growth excluding acquisitions of around 5 per cent.

“The acquisition of Rottapharm is an important step in creating a stronger, improved Meda”, says Dr Jörg-Thomas Dierks, CEO of Meda. “Rottapharm is a preeminent specialty pharma company with highly differentiated brands and a leading position within Cx. The combined business will have an improved Rx / Cx balance and increased investment opportunities. This acquisition is in-line with our strategic priorities to execute value-accretive M&A, invest in consumer healthcare and Emerging Markets. We are impressed by the business which the Rovati family has built up and we are honored to welcome the Rovati family as a major Meda shareholder.”

“From our foundation in 1961, we have built Rottapharm into a leading consumer-focused branded specialty pharma business, leveraging our heritage in science and clinical development,” says Luca Rovati, CEO of Rottapharm. “We are now ready to take the next step. We are very pleased to have reached this agreement with Meda and are confident that this will create significant value in the long-term for all our stakeholders. Through Meda’s expertise and resources, we are also confident that our medications will continue to serve patients and doctors alike going forward. Also, I very much look forward to contributing to the future success of the combined business as second largest shareholder in Meda.”

Transaction rationale: Enhanced scale, reach and profitability; The transaction creates a preeminent branded specialty pharma business with pro-forma revenues of over SEK 18 billion in 2013 and good growth prospects; The combined business will be better positioned to leverage a number of attractive brands through a broader reach to physicians, pharmacists and consumers; The combination will benefit from enhanced profitability, through the realization of synergies from overlapping infrastructure; Increased consumer healthcare presence; Cx is an attractive space with free pricing (not reimbursed), limited generic competition and a short time to market, while still offering science-based and clinically effective treatments;   Meda will on a combined basis have a good balance between their Rx segment (~60%) and Cx / OTC treatments (~40%). The resources will be dedicated to key brands with a view to drive in-market sales growth, internationalization and line extensions.

Rottapharm markets a balanced portfolio of strong brands, such as: Dona (Cx), the original and global market leading glucosamine sulfate for osteoarthritis with strong sales in emerging markets such as Russia, China and Thailand; Saugella (Cx), a market leader in Italy, Germany and Taiwan for intimate feminine hygiene, to be launched in several other countries; ArmoLIPID (Cx), the leading nutraceutical in Italy for dyslipidemia management with a 60% market share, which was recently launched in a number of other countries, including Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Austria and Thailand; Legalon (Rx), used in the treatment of liver degenerative, inflammatory and fibrotic diseases. Legalon SIL is an injectable version of the medication indicated for mushroom intoxication and under study for prevention of recurrent hepatitis C in liver transplant patients.

Stronger presence in Emerging Markets: Meda’s global reach will be further supported by an enlarged business in Emerging Markets with sales of over SEK 3 billion (17% of pro-forma 2013 sales). This corresponds to an increase of around 50%;  Rottapharm’s presence, with its own sales forces, in Southeast Asia is particularly complementary to Meda, providing additional opportunities to sell Meda’s products in new geographic markets.

Attractive financial impact: The acquisition is expected to yield approximately SEK 900 million per annum of cost synergies, with full effect in 2016. Synergies are anticipated to be driven by efficiencies in sales and marketing, administration and research and development. There is an additional upside, outside of these areas, from selling Meda products in new geographic markets as well as repatriating certain licenses to Meda; The acquisition is expected to be both EPS and Cash EPS accretive, in excess of 20%, following integration in 2016; The combination is anticipated to generate strong cash flows, enabling the business to rapidly de-lever the balance sheet from a level above 5x Net debt / EBITDA as estimated at year end 2014 back to current Net debt/EBITDA level in 2016.

The transaction will comprise SEK 15.3 billion (€1.643 billion) in cash, 30 million Meda shares corresponding to a value of SEK 3.3 billion (€357 million) and a SEK 2.6 billion (€275 million) of non-contingent, deferred payment in January 2017, which totals SEK 21.2 billion (€2.275 billion) on a cash and debt free basis.

The acquisition will be funded through a combination of new debt facilities, an equity issue with preferential rights to existing shareholders and payment in Meda shares. SEK 28 billion in bridge financing has been secured, which includes refinancing of Meda’s existing credit facilities. Take out financing is expected to be a combination of syndicated bank debt (SEK 26 billion) and an equity rights issue (SEK 2 billion). The payment in Meda shares, as mentioned above, corresponds to SEK 3.3 billion.

The Rovati family will on closing become a meaningful shareholder in Meda with an ownership stake of 9%. The Rovati family and Stena Sessan Rederi AB have both committed to subscribe for their pro rata share in the equity issue with preferential rights to existing shareholders.

The acquisition of Rottapharm must be reported to the competition authorities of multiple jurisdictions. Filings for gaining approvals will be initiated within days and the transaction is expected to complete in Q4 2014 following such clearances.

Rothschild is acting as financial advisor to Meda and ReedSmith is acting as legal advisor to Meda in connection with the transaction.

Rottapharm Madaus had no financial advisor for the transaction, Pavesi Gitti Verzoni is acting as their legal advisor and Tremonti-Vitali-Romagnoli-Piccardi as tax advisor.

The bridge financing for the transaction, as well as the arrangement of the rights issue and subsequent take out in the syndicated loan market, has been provided by Danske Bank, Nordea and SEB.

 
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