Grifols acquires American company Talecris to become third largest producer of hemoderivatives in the world
This operation will increase the group’s presence in the United States, where they have already ensured plasma supply with 80 plasmapheresis centers.
BY BIOCAT
Grifols, the top European company in the hemoderivatives sector and currently the fourth in the world, will strengthen their position by acquiring American Talecris Biotherapeutics. Talecris, which also specializes in producing biologic products derived from plasma, has a good foothold in both the United States and Canada. The acquisition proposal is awaiting approval from the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
At an Extraordinary General Shareholders’ Meeting, Grifols shareholders –representing more than 73.5% of the total capital stock– approved an increase in capital stock totaling 8.7 million euros, which was one of the requirements to close the deal. This will be done by issuing 87 million shares of non-voting stock at a price of 9.27 euros per share. The new shares will be listed in Spain (Grifols has been listed on the Spanish Continuous Market since May 2006 and is part of the Ibex-35) and on the US Nasdaq through ADS (American Depositary Shares).
They also ratified the nomination of two additional members of the Grifols Board of Administration, chosen by Talecris: Steven F. Mayer and W. Brett Ingersoll. Both have been on the Talecris Board of Administration since April 2005.
Trust in management team
So far, Grifols’ stockholders and investors have unanimously supported and trusted in the group’s growth and internationalization strategy. This Catalan group is present in 90 countries, has commercial affiliates in 23 countries and production plants in Catalonia and Los Angeles (USA).
Thanks to this multi-million euro investment, Grifols will be able to optimize output from each liter of plasma obtained, increasing their production of plasma derivatives to meet the growing demand for these products. According to sources in the company, the company has already ensured its plasma supply with 80 plasmapheresis centers in the United States. Moreover, they expect to increase their range of biologic drugs by incorporating Talecris patents, which focus on treating pathologies related to therapeutic areas like neurology, immunology, hematology and lung diseases.
BIO Washington 2011
The Grifols group –through Grifols Engineering– will participate, once again, in the top global biotech convention, BIO, which will be held in Washington (USA) from 27 to 30 June this year. They will participate alongside the Catalan delegation of companies, with their own stand in the BioRegion of Catalonia pavilion.