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IFF Announces Sale of its Pharma Solutions Business to Roquette

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IFF (NYSE: IFF) announces the sale of its Pharma Solutions business unit to Roquette for up to $2.85 billion, aiming to reduce debt leverage and focus on core growth drivers. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2025.
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The divestiture of IFF's Pharma Solutions business to Roquette for $2.85 billion is a strategic move that could reshape the competitive landscape in the pharmaceutical excipients market. The sale price, pegged at an enterprise value to EBITDA multiple of approximately 13x, is indicative of the business unit's strong performance and potential for growth under new ownership. The strategic realignment allows IFF to concentrate on its core segments while aiming to reduce debt leverage, aligning with industry trends where companies streamline operations to bolster financial health and shareholder value.

For stakeholders, the transaction is a significant step towards IFF's financial targets, potentially improving the balance sheet and investor sentiment. However, the long-term success hinges on the company's ability to capitalize on its remaining assets and drive growth in its core areas. The deal also reflects a broader industry move towards specialization, where companies like Roquette enhance their market position through strategic acquisitions.

IFF's announcement to sell its Pharma Solutions business for up to $2.85 billion signals a robust valuation for its pharmaceutical excipient operations, which could have implications for the company's stock performance. The transaction is expected to reduce IFF's debt leverage to below the targeted 3.0x, which is a positive development for investors concerned with the company's financial leverage. The intended debt reduction is particularly noteworthy, as it may lead to improved credit ratings and reduced interest expenses, potentially enhancing future profitability.

However, the divestiture also means a loss of a revenue stream that generated approximately $1B in 2023. Investors should monitor how IFF plans to offset this loss, whether through reinvestment in its core business areas or other strategic initiatives. The sale could be accretive if the company effectively deploys the capital to areas with higher growth potential or if it leads to a more focused and efficient operation.

The acquisition of IFF's Pharma Solutions by Roquette represents a consolidation within the pharmaceutical excipients and specialty solutions sector. The move could allow Roquette to leverage IFF's existing R&D and production capabilities, potentially leading to enhanced innovation and a stronger market presence. This could increase competition for other players in the excipients market and may drive further industry consolidation as companies seek to scale up and diversify their offerings to meet evolving pharmaceutical manufacturing needs.

From a product development perspective, the combined expertise of IFF and Roquette could lead to advancements in drug delivery and oral dosage solutions, which are critical components in the development of new therapies. The focus on innovation to meet the demands of patients and manufacturers alike is essential in an industry where the efficacy and safety of drug formulations are paramount. The deal could therefore have implications for future pharmaceutical developments and the broader healthcare sector.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- IFF (NYSE: IFF) today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Pharma Solutions business unit to French leader of plant-based ingredients Roquette for an enterprise value of up to $2.85 billion, which represents an enterprise value to EBITDA multiple of approximately 13x. IFF’s Pharma Solutions business is a well-established developer and manufacturer of pharmaceutical excipients and includes its Global Specialty Solutions business supporting industrial and methyl cellulosic food applications. The Pharma Solutions business being sold to Roquette is primarily made up of businesses within IFF’s existing Pharma Solutions division, with some adjustments to the perimeter of the transaction designed to align customers, businesses and the manufacturing footprint.

“We are pleased to reach an agreement with Roquette that will support Pharma Solutions’ next chapter of growth as a trusted partner for the pharmaceutical industry,” said IFF CEO Erik Fyrwald. "An important next step in our portfolio optimization strategy, the sale of Pharma Solutions, along with other recent actions such as our dividend rightsizing, represents a significant step towards our commitment to reducing debt leverage to 3.0x or below. This also enables us to increase focus on the core drivers of long-term profitable growth and maximize value for our shareholders. We are grateful for the many contributions of our Pharma colleagues and are confident that with Roquette, the Pharma Solutions business will be well positioned to expand its industry leadership through continued investment in innovation to meet the evolving needs of pharmaceutical manufacturers and developers worldwide.”

"We are excited to enter into this partnership with the talented Pharma Solutions team at IFF, which has grown into the go-to partner in the pharmaceutical excipients and specialty solutions markets globally,” said Pierre Courduroux, CEO of Roquette. “The combination of our excipients expertise with IFF Pharma is a fantastic opportunity to become a true global specialist of drug delivery and oral dosage solutions, responding to the needs of our customers and to the demands of patients who are looking for continuously better treatments.”

Pharma Solutions operates 10 research and development and/or production sites globally, with approximately 1100 employees, and generated approximately $1B revenue in 2023. IFF and Roquette expect to close the transaction in the first half of 2025, subject to applicable information and/or consultation requirements and customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor to IFF, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP acted as counsel, and Evercore as advisor to the board.

Welcome to IFF

At IFF (NYSE: IFF), an industry leader in food, beverage, scent, health and biosciences, science and creativity meet to create essential solutions for a better world – from global icons to unexpected innovations and experiences. With the beauty of art and the precision of science, we are an international collective of thinkers who partners with customers to bring scents, tastes, experiences, ingredients and solutions for products the world craves. Together, we will do more good for people and planet. Learn more at iff.com, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Media Relations:

Paulina Heinkel

332.877.5339

Media.request@iff.com

Investor Relations:

Michael Bender

212.708.7263

Investor.Relations@iff.com

Source: IFF

FAQ

What is the enterprise value of the Pharma Solutions business unit being sold by IFF to Roquette?

The enterprise value of the Pharma Solutions business unit being sold by IFF to Roquette is up to $2.85 billion.

What is the enterprise value to EBITDA multiple for the sale of IFF's Pharma Solutions business unit to Roquette?

The enterprise value to EBITDA multiple for the sale of IFF's Pharma Solutions business unit to Roquette is approximately 13x.

How many employees does Pharma Solutions have and how much revenue did it generate in 2023?

Pharma Solutions operates with approximately 1100 employees and generated approximately $1 billion in revenue in 2023.

When is the expected closing date for the transaction between IFF and Roquette?

IFF and Roquette expect to close the transaction in the first half of 2025, subject to applicable information and/or consultation requirements and customary closing conditions.

Who acted as the exclusive financial advisor to IFF in the sale of Pharma Solutions?

J.P. Morgan Securities acted as the exclusive financial advisor to IFF in the sale of Pharma Solutions.

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About IFF

we are iff. we are the catalyst for discoveries that spark the senses and transform the everyday. international flavors & fragrances inc. is a leading innovator of sensorial experiences that move the world. at the heart of our company, we are fueled by a sense of discovery, constantly asking “what if?” that passion for exploration drives us to co-create unique scents and tastes in fine fragrances and beauty, detergents and household goods, as well as beloved foods and beverages. our 7,300 team members globally take advantage of leading consumer insights, research and development, creative expertise, and customer intimacy to develop differentiated products. to learn more visit us at http://www.iff.com