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news.Bayer has completed the sale of its worldwide plasma products business to Talecris Biotherapeutics, a newly formed corporation controlled by affiliates of Cerberus Capital Management and Ampersand Ventures.
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The overall transaction volume amounts to approximately $590 million including cash, a 10% equity interest in Talecris Biotherapeutics Holdings Corp, retention of selected working capital items, and contingent payments of up to $60 million.
All plasma activities in the US were transferred to Talecris, which is maintaining its headquarters in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
In most other countries in which Bayer has been distributing plasma products, Bayer companies will continue to distribute plasma on behalf of Talecris. Bayer and Talecris also have entered into several service and supply arrangements.
“Divesting the plasma business is a further important strategic step toward Bayer HealthCare’s realignment,” commented Werner Wenning, CEO of Bayer AG. “We are now focusing our resources on the consumer health business, medicines for humans and animals, and high-performance diagnostic systems.”
The recombinant factor VIII business, comprising the Kogenate product line for the treatment of hemophilia A, is not part of the transaction and remains in Bayer HealthCare’s portfolio.
Bayer’s sales of plasma products in 2004 totaled E660 million. They include Polyglobin, Gamimune N, and Gamunex for the treatment of immunodeficiency disorders, and Prolastin for the treatment of congenital pulmonary emphysema.