goetzpartners advised Merck KGaA

Fortlane Partners was mandated as exclusive M&A advisor by MERCK on the sale of ALLERGOPHARMA, the allergy business of the Healthcare division of MERCK, to Dermapharm, a leading German manufacturer of patent-free branded drugs. The transaction, which is expected to close by the end of the second quarter 2020, is subject to regulatory approval and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

Since 2007, MERCK has made acquisitions and divestments with a volume of around € 40 billion, thereby resolutely transforming itself into a leading science and technology company. By divesting ALLERGOPHARMA, MERCK is further successfully implementing its company strategy, with an even stronger focus of its Healthcare business sector on the development of innovative medicines for the unmet medical needs of patients with difficult-to-treat diseases. The divestment to Dermapharm will sustainably strengthen the business of ALLERGOPHARMA.

ALLERGOPHARMA is a leader in allergen-specific immunotherapy of type 1 allergies such as hay fever or allergic asthma. It is the ambition of the business to support patients with high-quality products as a reliable partner in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies. ALLERGOPHARMA products are available in 18 countries worldwide.

The transaction encompasses the ALLERGOPHARMA business in Europe and Asia, including the therapeutic and diagnostic product portfolio as well as the production site in Reinbek near Hamburg (Germany). ALLERGOPHARMA’s adrenaline autoinjector development project for the treatment of anaphylactic reactions is not part of the transaction and will remain with MERCK. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

Fortlane Partners Corporate Finance acted as exclusive M&A advisor to MERCK, further underlining our competence as advisor of choice in the healthcare industry.

ABOUT ALLERGOPHARMA GMBH & CO. KG
ALLERGOPHARMA, the allergy business of MERCK, is one of the leading companies for allergen immunotherapy (AIT), celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019. Its product portfolio includes allergen immunotherapy (AIT) of type I allergies such as allergic rhinitis (e.g. hay fever) and allergic asthma, diagnostics, and prevention. The products of ALLERGOPHARMA are manufactured in Reinbek near Hamburg, under ultra-clean, sterile conditions and are available worldwide.

ABOUT MERCK KGAA
MERCK, a leading science and technology company, operates across healthcare, life science and performance materials. Around 56,000 employees work to make a positive difference to millions of people’s lives every day by creating more joyful and sustainable ways to live. From advancing gene editing technologies and discovering unique ways to treat the most challenging diseases to enabling the intelligence of devices – the company is everywhere. In 2018, MERCK generated sales of € 14.8 billion in 66 countries. Scientific exploration and responsible entrepreneurship have been key to MERCK’s technological and scientific advances. This is how MERCK has thrived since its founding in 1668. The founding family remains the majority owner of the publicly listed company. MERCK holds the global rights to the MERCK name and brand. The only exceptions are the United States and Canada, where the business sectors of MERCK operate as EMD Serono in healthcare, MilliporeSigma in life science, and EMD Performance Materials.

ABOUT DERMAPHARM HOLDING SE
Dermapharm is a leading manufacturer of off-patent branded medicines for selected markets in Germany. Founded in 1991, the company is headquartered in Grünwald near Munich. Its main production site is in Brehna near Leipzig. Dermapharm has more than 900 marketing authorizations for around 250 active ingredients that are commercialized either as medicines, food supplements or supplemental balanced diets.

TRANSACTION TEAM

Ulrich Kinzel
Managing Director

Matthias Volk
Associate Director

Fabio Riva
Associate

Christina Bacher
Associate

Daniel Quast
Analyst

CAPITAL MARKETS

Raphael Bidaut
Associate Director