DPx Launches as Global Provider of Pharmaceutical Services, Fine Chemicals and Proprietary Technologies

DPx Holdings BV (DPx), privately owned by JLL Partners and Royal DSM, yesterday (11 March) launched as a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) for the pharmaceutical and related industries. DPx is the result of a USD $2.65 billion transaction between JLL Partners, a leading middle-market private equity firm, and Royal DSM, the global Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company. DPx is 51% owned by JLL Partners and 49% by Royal DSM. With headquarters in Durham, N.C., DPx’s global footprint includes 24 locations across North America, Europe, Latin America and Australia with more than 8000 employees.

Formerly known by its provisional name “NewCo,” DPx is the corporate parent of a group of business units that is comprised of three distinct brands focused on pharmaceutical services, fine chemicals and products and proprietary technologies.These units are the result of combining DSM Pharmaceutical Products (DPP), Patheon and Banner Life Sciences. The company’s business unit structure is as follows:

• Pharmaceutical services will operate under the Patheon brand name and include the commercial manufacturing (CMO) capabilities, pharmaceutical product development services (PDS) as well as Biosolutions and Biologics (Bio) businesses of DPP.

• Fine chemicals, or the ES/IM and active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) businesses, which will operate under the brand name DSM Fine Chemicals.

• Proprietary products and technologies, which will operate under the Banner Life Sciences brand name.

Patheon is the industry’s end-to-end supplier providing an integrated supply chain model to customers. Patheon delivers a full spectrum of pharmaceutical development and manufacturing services ranging from APIs, Biologics and Biosolutions, as well as pharmaceutical product development services (PDS) and commercial manufacturing (CMO) capabilities. In addition, DSM Fine Chemicals will handle complicated APIs and finished dosage forms for customers, and Banner Life Sciences will offer its own proprietary and nutraceutical products to the market.

“This is an exciting day for our customers and employees. We believe that combining the capabilities and experience of both Patheon and DPP immediately positions us as the pharmaceutical industry’s partner of choice,” said Jim Mullen, CEO of DPx. “Today we are better positioned to add scale, new value chain capabilities and technologies, as well as expand our end-to-end service offerings to our customers as a global, comprehensive solution provider to the industry.”

DPx’s 2014 sales are anticipated to be about USD $2 billion (pro-forma). The structure is organized around the customer’s needs and operational efficiency.

“We are thrilled to announce the close of this landmark deal,” said Paul S. Levy, Managing Director of JLL Partners. “It is the result of much hard work and strategic foresight and is a demonstration of how we increase value through investment in growth and market positioning.”

“We are eager to build on the strong reputation each of our businesses has with existing customers,” said Stefan Doboczky, DPx board member and member of the DSM Managing Board. “We understand companies are seeking collaborative relationships with their suppliers, and we are truly committed to helping them navigate the challenges posed by the ever-changing nature of the healthcare marketplace.”