Roquette snaps up IFF Pharma Solutions for $2.85 billion
According to Roquette, the tie-up will ‘rebalance’ its portfolio across health and nutrition, as well as expanding its pharma product portfolio range.
It will also expand the company’s position in the ‘attractive’ excipients market and enhance Roquette’s US footprint.
“After last year’s acquisition of Qualicaps, today’s announcement is a decisive step in our journey to reinforce our position in the health and nutrition markets. The combination of our excipients’ expertise with IFF Pharma Solutions is a fantastic opportunity to become a true global specialist in drug delivery and oral dosage solutions,” said Pierre Courduroux, CEO of Roquette.
“This responds to the needs of customers and patients looking for continuously better treatments. We very much look forward to welcoming IFF Pharma Solutions, and to jointly building the next chapter of our company’s growth history.”
IFF’s pharma solutions business primarily develops and manufactures pharmaceutical excipients, as well as cellulosics, seaweed extracts, ultrapure biopolymers and specialized synthetic polymers.
The business unit generated revenues of approximately $1 billion in 2023 and runs 10 research, development and manufacturing sites around the globe, employing 1,100 people.
“We are pleased to reach an agreement with Roquette that will support Pharma Solutions’ next chapter of growth as a trusted partner for the pharmaceutical industry,” added Erik Fyrwald, CEO of IFF.
“This represents a great opportunity for our team and customers. Roquette is the ideal strategic partner for IFF Pharma Solutions, with whom it has complementary portfolio and innovation capabilities, and with whom it shares a culture of operational excellence.”
IFF and Roquette have said they expect the acquisition to close in the first half of 2025, subject to regulatory clearance and final conditions.
Roquette continues to expand its pharmaceutical operations, having acquired hard capsule maker Qualicaps from Mitsubishi Chemical Group last year.