Ardian acquires majority stake in Neopharmed Gentili

Under the agreement, Ardian will acquire a majority stake in Neopharmed Gentili, which focuses on therapeutic products. Mediolanum Farmaceutici, which was founded in 1972, will retain a minority stake. Alessandro Del Bono will become Chairman and CEO of the company, which is headquartered in Milan.

Neopharmed Gentili S.p.A. comprises the brands of the Mediolanum Farmaceutici Group, which are all dedicated to the development, production and marketing of high value therapeutic products in the vascular, cardio-metabolic, respiratory, antibiotic and over-the-counter drug markets in Italy.

With a strong, high-quality sales network, combined with sector expertise and well-established industry relationships, Neopharmed Gentili recorded sales of €192 million in 2017. Neopharmed Gentili is a well-recognized pharmaceutical brand in the sector, particularly in several specialized therapeutic areas. It is a reliable, specialized partner of many large pharmaceutical companies, including Merck and Teva for which it distributes and supplies some licensed products. 

The acquisitions carried out by Neopharmed Gentili have to date allowed the company to significantly increase its market share, its product range offer and to strengthen its top-line, while expanding its share of proprietary products.

Alessandro Del Bono, Chairman and CEO of Neopharmed Gentili, said: “The aim of Neopharmed Gentili is to become an increasingly competitive player in the pharmaceutical sector, oriented towards growth, international expansion and value creation. We have chosen to share this project with Ardian, the leading private equity player in Europe and the third largest in the world. The deal will allow the company to accelerate its development and to target new acquisitions, strengthening its presence in strategic areas of the pharmaceutical sector, and, last but not least, to protect employment in our country”.

Nicolò Saidelli, Managing Director and Head of Ardian in Italy, added: “We are proud that the Del Bono family has chosen Ardian as their partner for the development of Neopharmed Gentili, which represents an example of Italian entrepreneurial excellence combined with strong growth opportunities. Today Neopharmed Gentili is well-known within the Italian pharmaceutical industry and is ready to begin expanding internationally, through important partnerships with global players such as Merck and Teva Pharmaceutical. We are pleased to support the Del Bono family in this new challenge and we will do it with passion, thanks to the experience and skills that distinguish Ardian and the many development projects already followed in Italy together with entrepreneurs and managers at the head of family businesses.”