Keensight Capital acquires 3P Biopharmaceuticals to accelerate its global growth strategy

Keensight Capital, one of the leading private equity managers dedicated to pan-European Growth Buyout[1] investments, announces the acquisition of Infarco’s majority stake in 3P Biopharmaceuticals, a leading Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) specialized in the process development and GMP manufacturing of biologics.

Founded in 2006 and based near Pamplona, Spain, 3P Biopharmaceuticals offers a complete biologics production service, from preclinical and clinical stages, all the way to full-scale commercial manufacturing.

  • Technologically, the company develops and manufactures both new biological entities as well as biosimilars through mammalian, microbial and yeast expression systems.
  • Operationally, 3P’s manufacturing facility is both GMP certified as well as EMA and FDA approved.
  • Commercially, 3P develops tailored solutions for its clients, including cell line development and a complete range of analytical services and regulatory support.

3P provides a comprehensive service which is focused on quality, flexibility and a strong, two-way partnership with its clients.

With more than 240 employees and a wide number of customers located in Europe, North America, Australia and Asia, 3P Biopharmaceuticals has successfully established itself as a recognized European CDMO leader. Benefiting from an increasingly international client base, constituted of highly regarded pharmaceutical and biotech companies, the company has experienced a 23% annual revenue growth over the past 4 years.

3P Biopharmaceuticals is strategically well positioned in the biologics CDMO market, which is now one of the fastest growing healthcare segments globally. The market size is estimated to be €10bn worldwide and is expected to grow at 13% per annum from 2018 to 2022. Keensight Capital will support 3P in its next phase of development, notably by investing in 3P’s production capacity, broadening its service offering and attracting further talents. Keensight expects to be able to leverage its extensive knowledge, expertise and network in the CDMO field, in order to achieve these goals.

Dámaso Molero, General Manager of 3P Biopharmaceuticals, stated: This is an exciting new chapter for 3P Biopharmaceuticals, we are extremely enthusiastic to work hand in hand with Keensight Capital at such a crucial moment for our industry. With their global footprint and their expertise in the biologics field, I am highly confident that the Keensight team will help us reach significant milestones in the coming years.”

Pierre Rémy, Managing Partner at Keensight Capital, said: “3P Biopharmaceuticals has differentiated itself by offering its clients an impressive range of services, being one of the few EU midsized players with commercial manufacturing capabilities. We look forward to partnering with 3P in its efforts to further expand its scale and footprint, while retaining the entrepreneurial culture that helped 3P become what it is today. We are particularly excited to be working with such a talented team of individuals, many of whom have been together since the very beginning of 3P Biopharmaceuticals.”

Sodena will remain a minority shareholder of the company.

Alantra acted as advisor to the seller and PwC as advisor to Keensight.