Apax Europe VII announces the sale of Acelity
The Apax Europe VII Fund (“Apax Europe VII”) has announced today, alongside a consortium of other Funds advised by Apax Partners together with Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (“the Consortium”), that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Acelity.
The Consortium acquired Acelity (or Kinetic Concepts as it was formerly known) in 2011. Over the course of the Consortium’s ownership, the business was significantly reshaped through strategic M&A. Today, Acelity is a leading global advanced wound care company committed to developing innovative healing solutions for patients and clinicians across the care continuum.
AGA, whose shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange, provides investors with access to the investment expertise of Apax Partners through its investments in a diversified portfolio of private equity funds advised by Apax Partners as well as derived investments in debt and equity.
Apax Funds, CPPIB and PSP Investments Agree to Sell Acelity and its KCI Subsidiaries to 3M for $6.725 Billion
KCI is a leading global medical technology company focused on advanced wound care and specialty surgical applications
San Antonio and New York – 2 May 2019 – A consortium comprised of funds advised by Apax Partners (the “Apax Funds”), together with Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (“CPPIB”) and the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (“PSP Investments”), today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell Acelity, Inc. and its KCI subsidiaries worldwide to 3M for approximately $6.725 billion. KCI markets a broad range of negative pressure wound therapy, specialty surgical and advanced wound dressing products in approximately 90 countries.
Since 2011, Apax Partners, CPPIB and PSP Investments worked closely with Acelity/KCI’s senior leadership team to transform the business into a leading global company focused on advanced wound care and specialty surgical solutions. The company’s strategic M&A program included targeted acquisitions, such as Systagenix, in 2013, and Crawford Healthcare, in 2018, and disposals of non-core businesses, such as the LifeCell business unit, which was sold for $2.9 billion in 2017, and the Therapeutic Support Systems (TSS) unit, which was sold in 2012. The company also has undertaken a range of organic growth initiatives including investments in R&D, clinical studies, and the expansion of its sales force.
The product offering includes the KCI-branded negative pressure wound therapy, advanced wound dressings, and negative pressure surgical incision management systems. The company’s industry-leading brands include V.A.C.® Therapy, PREVENA™ Therapy and PROMOGRAN PRISMA™ Matrix, as well as the iOn Digital Health platforms. Upon completion of the transaction, KCI will become an integral part of 3M’s Medical Solutions business, which applies 3M’s science to deliver safe and effective solutions that improve clinical outcomes and healthcare economics.
“Today, KCI embarks upon a new era in its long history as a pioneer in healthcare,” said R. Andrew Eckert, CEO of Acelity. “The combination of KCI with 3M will accelerate the reach of a business that is a leader in innovation, customer experience and clinical and economic evidence. Backed by the resources and expertise of 3M, KCI will be able to offer clinicians and patients even more compelling solutions designed to speed healing and improve outcomes. I would like to thank Apax, CPPIB and PSP Investments for their close partnership and strategic direction over the years shaping KCI into a premier global advanced wound care company.”
Steven Dyson, Chairman of the Board of Acelity and Partner at Apax Partners, said, “We are proud of our close work with management to successfully transform KCI through a range of growth initiatives, including an M&A program, that enhanced the Company’s strategic direction. We believe the business will have a great future with 3M. Lastly, we are grateful for the opportunity to have joined in this highly successful investment with CPPIB and PSP, two long-standing investors in the Apax Funds.”
“CPPIB is pleased to have supported KCI’s delivery of medical devices and products that benefit millions of patients around the world. During our investment, the company helped restore lives with the launch of innovative solutions and expansion into new geographies,” said Ryan Selwood, Managing Director, Head of Direct Private Equity, CPPIB.
“We are proud to have supported KCI and its management team during its exciting transformation journey, in partnership with Apax and CPPIB,” said Simon Marc, Managing Director and Head of Private Equity, PSP Investments. “KCI has successfully invested into novel organic growth initiatives and we are confident about its continued growth prospects with 3M.”
The transaction will be effected through the sale of Acelity, Inc., a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Acelity L.P. Inc., and is expected to close in the second half of 2019, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs are acting as financial advisors to the consortium. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and Jackson Walker LLP are acting as legal advisors to the consortium.
Contact details
Investor enquiries
Sarah Wojcik
IR Manager – AGA
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7666 6573
Email: sarah.wojcik@apax.com
Media enquiries
Andrew Kenny
Head of Communications
Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7872 6371
Email: andrew.kenny@apax.com
About Apax Global Alpha Limited
AGA is a Guernsey registered closed-ended collective investment scheme incorporated as a non-cellular company that listed on the London Stock Exchange on 15 June 2015. It is regulated by the Guernsey Financial Services Commission.
AGA’s objective is to provide shareholders with capital appreciation from its investment portfolio and regular dividends. The Company is targeting an annualised Total Return, across economic cycles, of 12-15% (net of fees and expenses) including a dividend yield of 5% of Net Asset Value.
The investment policy of the Company is to make Private Equity investments in Apax Funds, and Derived Investments which are investments in equities and debt derived from the insights gained via Apax Partners’ Private Equity activities. The Company’s portfolio is expected to be allocated in approximately equal proportions between Private Equity and Derived Investments, although the investment mix will fluctuate over time due to market conditions, investment opportunities, cash flow requirements, the dividend policy and other factors. Further information regarding the Company and its publications are available on the Company’s website at www.apaxglobalalpha.com.
About Apax Partners LLP
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.€40 billion. Funds advised by Apax Partners invest in companies across four global sectors of Tech & Telco, Services, Healthcare and Consumer. These funds provide long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world-class companies. For further information about Apax Partners, please visit www.apax.com.
Apax Partners is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK.