Dubai Investments PJSC divests 66% stake in Globalpharma

Dubai Investments PJSC [DI], the leading investment company listed on the Dubai Financial Market [DFM], has announced the divestment of 66% equity stake in its pharmaceutical subsidiary Globalpharma Co. LLC.The Groupwill continueto hold 34% equity in Globalpharma.This transaction yielded a healthy IRR of 26% over a 10-year period for DI.

DI has divested 66% tothe investor group led by Sanofi(EURONEXT: SAN) (NYSE: SNY), a leading global healthcare company headquartered in France.Pursuant to the agreements entered into between DI and the investor group today, Globalpharma will be managed as a Sanofi company and will become the platform to manufacture and promote the generics portfolio of Sanofi in the Middle East markets.

In his comments, Mr. Khalid Bin Kalban, Managing Director and CEO of Dubai Investments, said: “Our investment in Globalpharma was well timed as we capitalized on the rapid growth in the pharmaceutical sector in theregion. With the direction and support of DI, the management executed a successful strategy which has attracted a lot of strategic interest. This created the opportunity for our successful sell-down.”

“We believe that the new partnership being forged with Sanofi will propel Globalpharma to the next level of its growth,” added Mr. Kalban.

DIcommercialized Globalpharma in 2003 and grew the company to become a market leader in certain therapies. Globalpharma is currently registered in more than 14 countries across the GCC, Middle Eastern, and neighbouring markets.Globalpharma manufactures pharmaceutical products under CGMP conditions including antibiotics, cardiovascular, anti-ulcerants, painkillers, food supplements, vitamins, anti-diabetics, respiratory products and anti-allergic formulations. Globalpharma has achieved healthy double-digit growth year-on-year since 2010.

Mr. Kalban added: “The investment case for Globalpharma was compelling, as itwas to operate in a pharmaceutical market which was expected to have uninterrupted growth in the region over coming years, driven by favorable demographics and increasing GDP per capita. The penetration of generic drugs manufacturing, which has historically been low in in the region, is now gradually increasing to European levels. We started Globalpharmaand brought the right team and the right product mix. It is now time for a firm such as Sanofi, a global leader in pharmaceuticals, to take Globalpharma forward.”

DI’s divestment and agreement with Sanofi is first-of-its-kind in the Middle East Generics market that combines Sanofi’s strong heritage of international quality treatments with a local trusted partner in generics medications – Globalpharma – to reach more patients with affordable medications.Globalpharma will be managed as a Sanofi company and will become the platform to manufacture and promote the generics portfolio of Sanofi in the Middle East markets. The portfolio will include anti-infective, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal products. Globalpharma will offer affordable treatment options to address the unmet healthcare needs of population in the Middle East region.

Mr. Kalban said: “Dubai Investments has been at the forefront of identifying and implementing profitable businesses across sectors and markets. The divestment of a significant equity stake in Globalpharma is part of our strategy to continuously create value for our stakeholders.This strategic divestment and agreement with Sanofi will help grow Globalpharma’s capabilities in the region and ensure that it is meeting the needs of the regional healthcare industry.”

Headded: “We are always on the lookout for strategic investments and divestments. Over the years, DI has always remained profitable with its prudent strategy aimed at boosting its profits and maintaining a high level of liquiditybesides generating healthy returns for its shareholders.”

With a strong local footprint, Globalpharma will benefit from the wide-ranging Sanofi generics portfolio and pipeline as well as from the strong brand equity of Sanofi in the Middle East markets.