Ardena Completes Acquisition of Catalent Facility in Somerset, NJ

Deal News | Feb 06, 2025 | Ropes & Gray

Ardena, a specialized pharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) and bioanalytical Contract Research Organization (CRO), has successfully expanded its operations in North America with the acquisition of Catalent's drug product manufacturing facility in Somerset, New Jersey. Represented by the law firm Ropes & Gray, Ardena, which is a portfolio company of GHO Capital Partners, completed this strategic acquisition to enhance its bioanalytical services in the region. The transaction was finalized and announced on February 4th. Ropes & Gray's team, encompassing experts from various legal disciplines, including private equity, finance, real estate, and healthcare, played an instrumental role in facilitating the deal. Ardena's existing facilities are located across Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands, and Sweden, and this new acquisition marks a significant expansion of its geographical presence and service capacity within the United States.

Sectors

  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Healthcare Services
  • Private Equity
  • Legal Services

Geography

  • United States – The acquisition involves a manufacturing facility located in Somerset, New Jersey, indicating the geographical expansion of Ardena into the U.S. market.
  • Europe – Ardena operates facilities across Europe in countries such as Belgium, Spain, the Netherlands, and Sweden, showing their origin and primary operational base.

Industry

  • Pharmaceuticals – The article discusses Ardena, a pharmaceutical Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), acquiring a facility from Catalent.
  • Healthcare Services – Ardena is involved in bioanalytical services, which falls under healthcare-related contract research, making this industry relevant.
  • Private Equity – GHO Capital Partners, a private equity firm, is the owner of Ardena, highlighting the financial investment aspect of the acquisition.
  • Legal Services – Ropes & Gray, a law firm, played a key role in representing Ardena in the acquisition transaction.

Financials

    Participants

    NameRoleTypeDescription
    ArdenaTargetCompanyA pharmaceutical CDMO and bioanalytical CRO acquiring a facility to expand its services.
    CatalentSelling CompanyCompanyThe original owner of the drug manufacturing facility in Somerset, NJ.
    GHO Capital PartnersPrivate Equity OwnerCompanyThe private equity firm that owns Ardena.
    Ropes & GrayLegal AdvisorCompanyThe law firm that represented Ardena in the acquisition transaction.
    Tim CastelliPrivate Equity PartnerPersonA private equity partner at Ropes & Gray involved in the transaction.
    Andrew PomrankePrivate Equity PartnerPersonAnother private equity partner at Ropes & Gray involved in the transaction.
    Shona HaPrivate Equity PartnerPersonFurther private equity partner at Ropes & Gray involved in the transaction.
    Alex RobbFinance PartnerPersonFinance partner at Ropes & Gray who participated in the transaction.
    Peter AlpertReal Estate Investments & Transactions PartnerPersonInvolved in real estate aspects of the acquisition.
    David KayeReal Estate Investments & Transactions PartnerPersonInvolved in real estate aspects of the acquisition.
    Emily KarlbergIP Transactions PartnerPersonHandled intellectual property transactions in the acquisition.
    Elaine MurphyTax PartnerPersonProvided tax-related legal services for the acquisition.
    Jen CormierEmployment PartnerPersonHandled employment-related aspects during the acquisition.
    Josh OysterFDA PartnerPersonProvided FDA-related legal services in the acquisition.
    Christina BergeronHealth Care PartnerPersonAdvised on healthcare-related matters during the transaction.
    Lisa KaltenbrunnerLitigation & Enforcement PartnerPersonHandled litigation and enforcement legal services in connection to the acquisition.