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Alvogen confirms cross-investment partnership to strengthen Asia presence

Business
20 March 2019
  • The transaction further enhances market access to a fast-growing Asian pharmaceutical market
  • Fuji Pharma brings a wealth of industry experience in Japan and an excellent women’s healthcare portfolio
  • Both parties are committed to further portfolio expansion to better serve more customers across Asia

Alvogen’s subsidiary in Taiwan, Lotus Pharmaceuticals today announced capital and business collaboration agreements with Fuji Pharma in Japan. Under the terms of the collaboration, Fuji acquires a 2.0% stake in Lotus for approximately US$20 million, while Lotus acquires 3.9% stake in Fuji for an equal sum.

The transaction is designed to further strengthen Lotus and Fuji’s commercial platform in Japan and other key Asian pharmaceutical markets, to explore cross-selling opportunities, realize synergies in manufacturing and to jointly invest in the development of specialty products for the region.

Commenting on the transaction, Robert Wessman, Chairman of Lotus, said:

“I am delighted to welcome such a prestigious investor on board, who brings significant industry experience and rich R&D resources from one of the largest pharmaceutical markets. Fuji Pharma is an excellent partner and we are looking forward to collaborating with their high-caliber team as we work to fuel regional growth for Lotus and continue to bring high quality medicines to patients.”

Hirofumi Imai, Chairman of Fuji Pharma, said:

“Fuji Pharma is extremely pleased to agree on this partnership with Lotus. At Fuji, we strongly believe in the global competitiveness of the oral oncology and specialty products that Lotus develop and manufacture. Our cross-investment reflects a long-term business collaboration that we are committed to. I look forward to working with Mr. Wessman and the rest of the team at Lotus.”

About Lotus

Founded in 1966, Lotus is a generic company headquartered in Taiwan with high-value generic products covering CNS, CVS, oncology, women health, and anti-obesity drugs in tablets & hard/softgel capsules for global markets. It became an Alvogen Company in 2014. The primary focus of Lotus is in addressing the fast-growing oncology market. By aligning the company’s internal development and manufacturing capabilities, Lotus aims to benefit patients, its employees and shareholders alike. The company boasts a best in class R&D and manufacturing platform across Taiwan and Korea. Further, Lotus can reach nearly every global market with its high value pipeline through the company’s direct markets, relationships with Alvogen’s commercial units spanning over 30 countries, and through alliances with top-tier pharma companies.

About Fuji Pharma

Fuji Pharma Co., Ltd. is a Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) listed, Japan-based pharmaceutical company mainly engaged in the manufacture and sale of prescription based pharmaceutical products. Fuji Pharma focuses on development and commercialization of hormone medicines for obstetrics and gynecology therapies, as well as injectable drugs including radiopharmaceutical products. Fuji Pharma was among the pioneers in Japan to develop and obtain biosimilar approval in Japan for GCSF in 2012.