The end of Doliprane under the French flag? The minister responsible for Industry, Marc Ferracci, “took note” on Thursday evening of the decision of the pharmaceutical group Sanofi, reported by various media, to enter into exclusive negotiations with the American fund CD-R in the context of the sale of Opella (Doliprane) .
“After the announcement in the press of Sanofi’s choice to continue exclusive negotiations with CD-R in the context of the sale of Opella”, the minister “takes note of this decision, reminding both parties of the government’s vigilance points, both from an economic and health point of view”, according to a reaction sent to AFP by his ministry.
The economic newspaper The Echoes reported that the board of directors of Sanofi has decided “to open, as a first step, exclusive negotiations with the American fund”, which has offered more than 15 billion euros to acquire “50% or more” of the French group’s subsidiary dedicated to consumer health.
Contacted by AFP, Sanofi did not confirm but specified that the communication is expected on Friday.
This business, which includes more than a hundred brands, including Doliprane, Dulcolax, Lysopaïne and even Maalox, is present in 150 countries. It achieved a turnover of 5.2 billion euros in 2023.
“A certain number of economic commitments will be necessary”
Marc Ferracci describes CD&R as “a serious investment fund that presents positive prospects for the overall development of Opella and the factories established in France”.
He also recalls “that Sanofi and the future buyer CD&R will be required to make a certain number of economic commitments” aimed at guaranteeing the “maintenance of the headquarters and decision-making centers on the national territory” and “Opella’s French industrial footprint”.
In his statement, the minister reiterates that “the State is mobilizing all the tools at its disposal” including the procedure for controlling foreign investments in France.
“This sales proposal does not call into question either the production in France of Doliprane or other essential medicines produced by Opella in our territory, nor the supply of these medicines to the market,” he assures. “This is naturally part of the required commitments.”
Sanofi has been thinking since autumn 2023 about how to separate from this entity. Faced with the American fund, another offer was made by the French fund PAI Partners. The pharmaceutical group will publish its quarterly financial results next week.
The CD&R project envisages, according to Les Échos, that Sanofi retains a very significant share of the capital, since “it could remain invested at around half of its division”.
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