GHO Capital acquires Sterling Pharma Solutions, a specialist provider of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (‘API’) development and manufacturing services to the global biopharmaceutical industry

Posted: 28 Feb 2019

London, UK – GHO Capital, the European specialist investor in healthcare, has acquired a majority stake, alongside Management, in Sterling Pharma Solutions (‘Sterling’ or the ‘Company’), a specialist in complex and difficult to manufacture APIs.

Headquartered in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, Sterling is a leading provider of API development and manufacturing, with a reputation for world class quality standards. This is reflected in Sterling’s long-term relationships with blue-chip pharmaceutical and animal health clients, as well as a strong track record with global regulators including the FDA and EMA.

Sterling delivers a full-service offering of API development and GMP manufacturing to support its customers throughout the entire product lifecycle. The Company is a provider of specialist services from clinical development through market launch to commercial supply.

Outsourced small molecule API development and manufacturing is growing steadily at c. 7% per annum. This is overlaid with a long-term trend towards increasing molecule complexity, driving higher market growth rates in complex chemistry, where Sterling is an industry leader in Europe.

GHO Capital brings extensive sectoral expertise and networks in the global pharmaceutical and animal health industries, to support management in accelerating Sterling’s international growth.

We are delighted to partner with GHO Capital, whose expertise in the pharmaceuticals space and track record of supporting companies expand internationally will be invaluable in facilitating the next stage of our growth in Europe and in the US.
Kevin Cook
CEO of Sterling Pharma Solutions
Sterling provides a compelling opportunity to partner with a best in class Management team to support the global demand for complex chemistry in pharmaceuticals.”

Sterling is today a leader in Europe from its UK operations and the plan is to extend Sterling’s international presence to meet increasing demand from customers worldwide.
Alan MacKay
Partner at GHO Capital

Further information:

Charles Cox
GHO Capital Partners LLP
T +44 20 3700 7440
E [email protected]

Ross Gillam / Nick Corrin / Rozi Morris / Alex Shaw
Instinctif Partners
T +44 20 7475 2020
E [email protected]

About GHO Capital
Global Healthcare Opportunities, or GHO Capital Partners LLP, is a leading specialist healthcare investment advisor based in London. We apply global capabilities and perspectives to unlock high growth healthcare opportunities in Europe, building market leading businesses of strategic global value. Our proven investment track record reflects the unrivalled depth of our industry expertise and network. We partner with strong management teams to unlock value in a global system that demands the provision of better, faster, cheaper healthcare. For further information, please visit www.ghocapital.com

About Sterling Pharma Solutions
Sterling Pharma Solutions is a leading provider of small molecule API development and manufacturing services to the global pharmaceutical industry. The Company delivers a full-service offering of API development and GMP contract manufacturing capabilities to support customers’ projects through the entire product lifecycle, wherever they are based. Sterling Pharma Solutions is the UK’s largest provider of API development and manufacturing services to the pharmaceutical industry and specialises in handling challenging chemistries. Its diverse portfolio now includes more than 60 products. The Company is based in Northumberland, UK. For more information, please visit www.sterlingpharmasolutions.com

List of Advisers

  • Jefferies provided M&A advice to Sterling Pharma Solutions. HSF provided legal advice.
  • Results Healthcare provided M&A advice to GHO Capital. Macfarlanes LLP provided legal advice.
  • Permira Debt Managers, London, provided debt capital for the transaction.