ECULLY, France–(BUSINESS WIRE)–SEQENS is pleased to announce that, on December 16, 2021, funds advised by SK Capital have become the majority shareholder of the group. Two new long-term institutional investors, Bpifrance and Nov Santé are taking part in the transaction alongside SK Capital, management and the historical minority shareholders Mérieux Equity Partners, Ardian and Eximium who are reinvesting into SEQENS.
Concurrent with this investment, SEQENS has combined with Wavelength Pharmaceuticals, an API development and manufacturing company and an existing SK Capital portfolio company. SEQENS has also divested its non-core Mineral Specialties activities, i.e. the sodium bicarbonate, soda ash and sodium silicate production facilities in Laneuveville-devant-Nancy (France), Nogent l’Artaud (France) and Jurong Island (Singapore), all of which will remain under the control of Eurazeo and SEQENS’ other historical shareholders.
As a result of these transactions, SEQENS is now emerging stronger and more focused, positioned as one of the world’s leading players in pharmaceutical solutions and specialty ingredients, with revenues of €1.1 billion, 24 industrial sites, 10 R&D centers and 3,200 employees located on 3 continents. The company has a large product portfolio of more than 200 active pharmaceutical ingredients, 500 pharmaceutical intermediates, as well as key specialty ingredients and chemicals. SEQENS is investing significantly to support customer growth in both its commercial and development products and technology platforms, including custom polymers, lipids, flow chemistry, high potency APIs and biocatalysis. The company is committed to the highest levels of Environmental, Social and Governance standards, with 15 EcoVadis platinum and gold sites across its global network.
“We are very excited to have the opportunity to support SEQENS with our deep experience and relationships in the pharmaceutical and specialty ingredients markets. SEQENS is well regarded for its recognized know-how, capacity for innovation, global industrial footprint and broad portfolio of products and technologies. The combination with Wavelength further extends these strengths to the benefit of our collective customers and employees. We are enthusiastic about the continuing commitment to SEQENS by its current shareholders, Mérieux Equity Partners, Ardian and Eximium as well as new shareholders Bpifrance and Nov Santé, which will provide the company with a broad range of perspectives and capital sources to further its growth,” said Aaron Davenport, Managing Director of SK Capital.
“With the support of its shareholders, the group has become one of the world leaders in pharmaceutical synthesis. The significant investments made over the last five years in our plants, in R&D, and in disruptive technologies allow us to offer the widest range of services and products on the market for the benefit of our customers. With SK Capital, supported by Bpifrance, Nov Santé, Mérieux, Ardian and Eximium and with the combination of Wavelength’s technologies, capabilities, products and recognized know-how, we will accelerate the projects launched in recent months and further strengthen our positions to support our customers worldwide in the development of their projects,” said Pierre Luzeau, President of SEQENS.
José Gonzalo, Executive Director of Direct Investment at Bpifrance, added: “Bpifrance is proud to support SEQENS’ management team in its ambitious investment program for growth. SEQENS is a French industrial success story and a leading force in the pharmaceutical and specialty ingredient industries, with a strong footprint in France. Our investment is a demonstration of Bpifrance’s commitment to support this strategic sector.”
About SEQENS:
SEQENS is a worldwide leader in the development and production of active ingredients, pharmaceutical intermediates and specialty ingredients leveraging on 24 manufacturing sites, 10 R&D centers and 3,200 employees located on 3 continents.
As an integrated player across the value chain – from raw materials to active ingredients and from research and development to industrialization – SEQENS offers a broad portfolio of active ingredients, pharmaceutical intermediates and specialty ingredients and chemicals, develops and industrializes the most demanding molecules, and relies on its ability to innovate, develop and implement the best available technologies.
Driven by a culture of excellence and a strong entrepreneurial spirit, our employees are committed to providing our customers with the highest level of service and quality while acting ethically in accordance with our strong Environmental, Social and Governance program.
press@seqens.com / www.seqens.com / Linkedin: SEQENS / Twitter: @seqens_group
About SK CAPITAL:
SK Capital is a private investment firm with a disciplined focus on the specialty materials, chemicals and pharmaceuticals sectors. The firm seeks to build strong and growing businesses that create substantial long-term value. SK Capital aims to utilize its industry, operating and investment experience to identify opportunities to transform businesses into higher performing organizations with improved strategic positioning, growth and profitability as well as lower operating risk. SK Capital’s portfolio of businesses generates revenues of approximately $13 billion annually, employs more than 18,000 people globally and operates 170 plants in 32 countries.
For more information, visit www.skcapitalpartners.com.
About Bpifrance:
Bpifrance is the French national investment bank: it finances businesses – at every stage of their development – through loans, guarantees, equity investments and export insurances. Bpifrance also provides extra financial services (training, consultancy) to help entrepreneurs meet their challenges (innovation, export…).
For more information: www.bpifrance.fr – https://presse.bpifrance.fr/ – Follow us Twitter : @Bpifrance @BpifrancePresse
Press contact: nathalie.police@bpifrance.fr
Contacts
Linda Pendergast-Savage
Birnbach Communications for SEQENS
lpendergastsavage@birnbachcom.com
508-224-7905