Baxter International, a global medical products company, has announced the completion of the acquisition of Claris Injectables, a global generic injectables pharmaceutical company. The transaction broadens Baxter’s presence in the generic pharmaceuticals space and will help boost the supply of essential medicines to Baxter customers.
“This acquisition reinforces our commitment to establishing Baxter as a global leader in generic injectable medicines,” said José (Joe) E. Almeida, chairman and chief executive officer, Baxter. “The combination of Baxter and Claris Injectables will allow us to increase access to lower-cost generic injectables and strengthen our ability to meet the needs of healthcare providers and patients around the world.”
With this acquisition, Baxter gains access to the complete Claris Injectables product portfolio and pipeline as well as three manufacturing plants. These facilities feature state-of-the-art technology and are registered with global regulatory agencies, including one plant registered with the FDA. Baxter plans to invest in further increasing Claris Injectables’ capacity and capabilities, including adding new aseptic manufacturing and lyophilization; new technology platforms in areas like cytotoxics, aseptic development and complex formulations; and an expanded research and development footprint to accelerate and increase pipeline output and portfolio breadth.
The expanded capabilities and facilities gained in the acquisition will provide a foundational growth platform for Baxter to help accelerate the number of products it launches in both the near- and long-term. The acquisition is anticipated to add more than 50 products to Baxter’s portfolio in 2017, almost 20 new products in the aggregate in 2018 and 2019, and 10-15 products per year beginning in 2020.
The total consideration for the transaction was approximately $625 million. The transaction was financed through a combination of cash on hand and debt. Annual sales for Claris Injectables were approximately $112 million in 2016, and Baxter expects the growth of this business to be modestly accretive to adjusted earnings for 2017 and increasingly accretive thereafter. Baxter updated its full-year 2017 guidance in conjunction with its second-quarter 2017 earnings results (issued 7/26/17) to account for the anticipated completion of the Claris Injectables acquisition.
