RoundTable Healthcare Partners ("RoundTable"), an operating-oriented private equity firm focused exclusively on the healthcare industry, announced today that it has completed the sale of Aqua Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc. ("Aqua") to Almirall S.A. ("Almirall") for up to $402.6 million in cash. The consideration includes $327.6 million of cash at closing plus up to $75 million of contingent payments. Almirall, headquartered in Barcelona, Spain, is a global pharmaceutical company committed to providing innovative products focused on the treatment of respiratory, dermatological, gastrointestinal and pain diseases.
Aqua is a specialty pharmaceutical company focused on acquiring, developing and marketing branded, prescription dermatology products. Aqua was co-founded in 2004 by Craig Ballaron and Jay Gooding and is headquartered in West Chester, Pennsylvania. RoundTable acquired a majority interest in Aqua in June 2010.
"The Aqua management team, led by Co-Founder and CEO Craig Ballaron, has created an industry-leading specialty dermatology pharmaceutical company, achieving exceptional growth through its strong sales organization and strategic product acquisitions while making significant R&D investments," said Jack L. McGinley, Founding Partner of RoundTable and Chairman of Aqua. "We believe that Almirall will be a strong strategic partner for Aqua, its employees and customers going forward."
Craig Ballaron, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Aqua, added "RoundTable has been an important partner to Aqua since 2010. During our partnership, they supported our efforts to expand our senior management team and salesforce, accelerate investment in our R&D pipeline and support several important product acquisitions. RoundTable has been an ideal partner for Aqua during this important growth phase. Aqua is very well positioned to continue its current success into the future."
"Aqua is another example of RoundTable partnering with owner/founders, and working together, taking the business to another level of growth and value," said Lester B. Knight, Founding Partner and Co-Chairman of RoundTable. "This transaction marks the third portfolio company sale from RoundTable's $500 million Fund II, and at closing, generated a return of more than five times invested equity capital for our investors."
Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. acted as exclusive financial advisor to Aqua, and Sidley Austin LLP acted as exclusive legal advisor to RoundTable in this transaction.
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