Financial investor seizes control of Stada, without a public offering of shares

Stada, a pharmaceutical company based in Bad Vilbel, Hesse, has found a new majority stakeholder in London-based investment firm CapVest Partners. The purchase, which involves around a 70% stake, was confirmed but the exact purchase price was not disclosed.

The deal, expected to close in the first half of 2026, comes after Stada's planned Initial Public Offering (IPO) was canceled. The company was expected to go public with an IPO that would have valued it at around €10 billion.

Stada has seen growth in specialty medicines but little growth in over-the-counter drugs and generic medicines in the same year. This growth can be attributed to the company's strategic acquisitions in recent years, which have expanded its product portfolio. Some of the medicines produced by Stada include Grippostad cold remedy and Silomat cough syrup.

The company's revenue increased by six percent to around €2.1 billion in the same year, and its EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) increased by five percent to €481 million. However, the weak cold season negatively impacted the growth of over-the-counter drugs.

Stada's debt has also been a concern, with the company accumulating around €5.7 billion. To make itself more attractive to investors, Stada spun off its Russian business.

Previous shareholders Bain Capital and Cinven will retain a minority stake in the company following the sale. The deal is subject to regulatory approvals.

In 2017, Bain Capital and Cinven purchased Stada for €5.3 billion. Since then, the company has been delisted from the stock exchange following the purchase.

Stada currently employs approximately 11,600 people worldwide. The company's new majority investor, CapVest Partners, is known for its investments in the healthcare sector.

With the new investment, Stada is poised for continued growth and expansion in the pharmaceutical industry. The company's focus on specialty medicines, strategic acquisitions, and a strong global workforce make it a valuable asset in the industry.