Hikma Pharmaceuticals, one of the largest suppliers of generic injectable medicines in the US, has agreed to acquire Custopharm from Water Street Healthcare Partners.
Hikma will pay an initial cash consideration of $375 million on a debt and cash-free basis, with a further $50 million in contingent consideration payable upon the achievement of certain commercial milestones.
Custopharm, a Carlsbad, California-based generic sterile injectables company with a differentiated product portfolio and R&D pipeline, currently markets its products in the US through its commercial arm Leucadia Pharmaceuticals.
Since partnering with Water Street in 2015, Custopharm has received 13 US FDA approvals, with four first-to-market Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) approvals – including one with Competitive Generic Therapy (CGT) designation – and one novel 505(b)(2) NDA approval.
“This acquisition provides Hikma with an attractive opportunity to further strengthen our US injectables business, by adding an attractive and profitable portfolio of marketed products and an exciting pipeline of future opportunities,” said Siggi Olafsson, CEO of Hikma.
“Custopharm is an accomplished operator in the US injectables market with a first-class scientific team and a strong regulatory track record. This acquisition is highly complementary to our existing business and adds high-quality and differentiated growth potential.”
Riad Mishlawi, President of Hikma Injectables, added: “With this acquisition, Hikma will have a differentiated US portfolio of close to 130 injectable medicines – a more than fivefold increase over the last decade.
“Through this broad portfolio and by combining Custopharm’s strong R&D capabilities with our high-quality and extensive manufacturing footprint, we will be in an excellent position to better serve the growing needs of hospitals, doctors and patients.”
