March 24, 2014
AmerisourceBergen Acquires Minority Interest in Profarma Distribuidora de Produtos Farmacêuticos S.A.
Valley Forge, Pa – AmerisourceBergen Corporation (NYSE:ABC) today announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire a minority stake in Profarma Distribuidora de Produtos Farmacêuticos S.A. (Profarma), a leading pharmaceutical wholesaler in Brazil. In addition, AmerisourceBergen and Profarma will establish a joint venture for specialty distribution and services. The Company expects to invest a total of approximately $100 million, and the transaction is expected to close in the June quarter of 2014. AmerisourceBergen does not expect the transaction to have a meaningful impact to its adjusted earnings per share from continuing operations for fiscal 2014.
“We are very excited to partner with Profarma as we continue to expand our reach into growing international markets,” said Steven H. Collis, President and Chief Executive Officer of AmerisourceBergen. “With its long-term macroeconomic growth outlook, favorable demographics, and increasing access to healthcare services and specialty pharmaceuticals, the Brazilian market affords us a tremendous opportunity to expand our international offerings. Profarma’s success in the wholesale distribution, chain and independent retail, and specialty markets, combined with our expertise in specialty distribution and manufacturer services provides a compelling opportunity to shape the delivery of healthcare in Brazil.”
Sammy Birmarcker, Chief Executive Officer of Profarma, highlighted the positive effects that the association with AmerisourceBergen should bring for the operations of Profarma Specialty, such as access to new medicines, equipment, services and practices that currently do not exist in Brazil. “We hope the country will soon be able to benefit from the technological advances that are already available to the specialty pharmaceutical distribution industry in more evolved markets abroad,” emphasized Birmarcker. “We believe that the experience acquired by Profarma over the course of its 52 years of activities, combined with the technology and expertise of AmerisourceBergen in rendering new services, will provide a favorable environment for the development of Profarma Specialty in Brazil," he concluded.
AmerisourceBergen will purchase up to a 19.9% minority stake by offering R$22.50 per share for shares offered in a primary offering by Profarma. The specialty distribution joint venture will include Profarma’s existing specialty businesses and an equity investment from AmerisourceBergen, and each company will own a 50% stake in the joint venture.
About AmerisourceBergen
AmerisourceBergen is one of the largest global pharmaceutical
sourcing and distribution services companies, helping both healthcare providers
and pharmaceutical and biotech manufacturers improve patient access to products
and enhance patient care. With services ranging from drug distribution and
niche premium logistics to reimbursement and pharmaceutical consulting
services, AmerisourceBergen delivers innovative programs and
solutions across the pharmaceutical supply channel. With over $100
billion in annualized revenue, AmerisourceBergen is
headquartered inValley Forge, PA, and employs approximately 13,000
people. AmerisourceBergen is ranked #32 on the Fortune 500 list. For
more information, go to www.amerisourcebergen.com.
About Profarma Distribuidora de Produtos Farmacêuticos S.A.
Profarma Distribuidora de Produtos Farmacêuticos S.A. has been engaged
for 52 years in the distribution of pharmaceuticals, personal care products and
cosmetics in Brazil's most populous states. In 2013, with the
acquisition of the retail chains Drogasmil/Farmalife and Tamoio, it became one
of the largest mixed distributors in Latin America and the largest
in Brazil. With 12 Distribution Centers, Profarma markets approximately
18.0 million units per month and serves around 33,000 sales outlets. In the
pharmaceutical retail market, it is the tenth largest chain in Brazil,
with 140 stores in Rio de Janeiro. Covering a geographic area that
corresponds to 93.5% of the consumer market for pharmaceutical products
in Brazil, Profarma with its specialized and committed team, aims to
be Brazil's largest and most profitable mixed distributor of
pharmaceutical products by delivering consistent and sustainable results, maintaining
low operating costs, strengthening its competitive advantages and maximizing
value for its stockholders. For more information, go to www.Profarma.com.br.