Completion of transaction marks end of highly successful collaboration with management team to transform Acelity into a global medical device leader
San Antonio and New York, October 11, 2019: Funds advised by Apax Partners together with consortium partners Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and the Public Sector Pension Investment Board, today announced the completion of the sale of Acelity and its KCI subsidiaries to 3M for $6.725 billion.
Since 2011, Apax and its consortium partners worked to reshape Acelity from a loose collection of businesses into a focused global leader. This was achieved through a strategic M&A program which included targeted acquisitions as well as the disposals of non-core businesses. In addition, a range of activities were undertaken to accelerate organic growth, including investments in R&D, medical education, clinical studies, and the expansion of its sales force. The result of these initiatives transformed Acelity into the world’s largest wound care company focused on advanced wound care, including negative pressure wound therapy.
Steven Dyson and Arthur Brothag, Partners at Apax Partners, said, “We are proud of our work with Acelity and our consortium partners. In many ways, this transaction represents what Apax seeks to achieve: namely, developing a high conviction thesis through sub-sector insights, forming a strong partnership with a talented management team, and working together to transform a business to become the global leader in its space. We wish Acelity well and look forward to watching the company continue to thrive under new ownership.”
R. Andrew Eckert, CEO of Acelity during the ownership of the Apax Funds and its consortium partners, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with Apax and its consortium partners. They have demonstrated a very strong understanding of our space and helped us reshape our business and invest to capture significant growth. It’s incredibly fulfilling to reflect on the rapid expansion in innovation and new products Acelity has delivered to the marketplace in this time. I especially want to recognize the Acelity workforce for their dedication to improving patients’ lives worldwide in bringing these new therapies forward.”
About Apax Partners
Apax Partners is a leading global private equity advisory firm. Over its more than 40-year history, Apax Partners has raised and advised funds with aggregate commitments of c.$50 billion. The Apax Funds invest in companies across four global sectors of Healthcare, Tech & Telco, Services, and Consumer. These funds provide long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world-class companies. For more information see: www.apax.com.
In Healthcare, the Apax Funds have invested c.$8 billion of equity across medical devices, pharmaceuticals, healthcare services and healthcare IT. Within the medical devices sub-sector, the Apax Healthcare team has partnered with a variety of businesses such as Mӧlnlycke, Vyaire Medical, Candela and Healthium to create strategic leaders in their space.
Media Contacts
Global Media: Andrew Kenny, Apax | +44 20 7 872 6371 | andrew.kenny@apax.com
USA Media: Todd Fogarty, Kekst CNC | +1 212-521 4854 | todd.fogarty@kekstcnc.com
UK Media: Matthew Goodman, Greenbrook | +44 20 7952 2000 | apax@greenbrookpr.com
Notes to Editors
London-headquartered Apax Partners (www.apax.com), and Paris-headquartered Apax Partners (www.apax.fr) had a shared history but are separate, independent private equity firms.
