Apollo Global Management, LLC
has reportedly submitted a bid in the final round of Concordia Healthcare Corp.
auction process. However, there is uncertainty regarding materialization of the deal. The news was reported by
The Wall Street Journal on Monday, citing a person acquainted with the matter.
Apollo's move comes in sharp contrast with the decision of two other private-equity firms - The Blackstone Group L.P.
and Carlyle Group LP - that decided not to pursue the acquisition of the Canadian pharmaceutical company despite initially expressing interest in it.
Concerns over Concordia The report stated that prospective buyers had concerns over Concordia's ability to sustain its profitability amid the heightened regulatory scrutiny on the health-care sector in the wake of aggressive pricing of drugs by Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc.
.
Also the Food and Drug Administration's efforts to enhance competition in the pharmaceutical industry and restrain the rise in drug prices may affect profitability of Concordia. There are also concerns regarding drug companies in the U.K. as regulators may put a ceiling on the National Health System's spending on branded drugs and may extend the policy to include generics. Notably, Concordia generates more than half of its revenue from the sale of generics in the U.K., mainly through its Amdipharm Mercury Co. Ltd. acquisition.
On Thursday, Concordia said in a statement that it would continue to review its strategic alternatives. However, at the same time it noted that "there can be no assurance that any transaction will occur".
What Might have Triggered Apollo's Interest? While several private equity firms have shun interest from Concordia, industry participants believe Apollo's plans might have been driven by the current headwinds faced by Concordia, as the New York-based investment manager has a successful track record of supporting companies that face challenges.
As an investment management firm, Apollo has grown through meaningful acquisitions, strategic alliances and divestures. Apart from health care, the company's interest lies in varied spaces including chemicals, commodities, mining, agriculture, technology, financial services and manufacturing. We look forward to the company's greater involvement in deals that augur well for its growth.
However, we remain concerned about the adverse effects of the present capital market volatility and stringent regulatory landscape that could weigh on the company's financial performance in the near term.
Apollo Global currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
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