Permira Funds to acquire LSNE, a leading CDMO for the pharmaceutical and medical device markets, in partnership with management.

Permira, the global private equity firm, announced that a company backed by the Permira funds has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Lyophilization Services of New England, Inc (LSNE), a contract development and manufacturing organization for the pharmaceutical and medical device markets, in partnership with management. As part of the transaction, LSNE founder and Chief Executive Officer Matt Halvorsen will maintain a significant equity stake in the company and will continue to lead the company in his current role.

Founded in 1997, LSNE provides a wide range of development and manufacturing services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical device industries, specializing in aseptic fill/finish and lyophilization services. With an extensive track record of manufacturing, product quality and capabilities in late stage clinical and commercial manufacturing, LSNE is strategically positioned to provide services across all phases with the technical expertise to handle complex formulations.

In conjunction with the transaction, Claes Glassell, the former CEO of CMC Biologics and a 30-year pharmaceutical industry veteran, will join as Chairman of the Board of LSNE in support of the management team and growth strategy.

The Permira funds’ investment will support the company’s many growth opportunities, including expanding the company’s capacity to better serve its growing customer base and address commercial stage opportunities, extending its capabilities in manufacturing and development services, and pursuing selective acquisitions.

“This is an exciting new chapter for our company, and we are very pleased that Permira, with its global footprint and healthcare expertise, has recognized the growth potential in our business,” said Matt Halvorsen, CEO of LSNE. “The investment is a strong endorsement for LSNE and our highly talented workforce, and we look forward to taking advantage of the unique perspective and industry insight that the Permira funds will bring. LSNE and its customers will also benefit greatly from the involvement of Claes Glassell and we welcome him as Chairman of our Board.”

Halvorsen continued, “In addition, I’d like to acknowledge my current financial partner Clairvest for the crucial role the firm has played in the company’s development in recent years.”

“We are thrilled to back LSNE, a specialized market leader with unique technical capabilities, an outstanding reputation and significant potential for further growth,” said Mubasher Sheikh, Partner at Permira and Head of the Global Healthcare Group. “We have been attracted to opportunities that benefit from the strong outsourcing trends across the healthcare industry and the underlying demand growth, in this case supported by continued growth for biologic medicines. With a strong leadership team and unique capabilities, LSNE is ideally positioned to capitalize on industry trends and expand its market position.”

Henry Minello, a Principal in the Global Healthcare Group of Permira based in New York, said, “We are very excited to begin working with Matt and his talented team in this next phase of growth, while leveraging the resources and capabilities of our firm and industry team. LSNE has a well-defined strategy to address the growing customer demand, both domestically and internationally, by expanding its manufacturing capacity and capabilities. We look forward to partnering with Matt and his team on the many growth opportunities ahead.”

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions and is expected to close in the second quarter 2017.

(Source: Business Wire)