Sanofi and private equity firm CD&R have entered into exclusive talks for CD&R to acquire a 50% controlling stake in Opella, Sanofi’s consumer healthcare division. Sanofi would remain a significant shareholder supporting Opella’s future growth and Bpifrance, a French public sector investment bank, is expected to participate as a minority shareholder with a stake of approximately 2%.

The partnership aims to position Opella as a global leader in consumer healthcare by using CD&R’s expertise, while allowing Sanofi to focus on its core biopharmaceutical business. Sanofi states it will focus on developing new medicines and vaccines. The transaction is expected to close in Q2 2025 at the earliest.

Headquartered in France, Opella employs more than 11,000 people and operates in 100 countries with 13 manufacturing sites and four scientific and innovation development centers. With a portfolio of brands including Allegra, Doliprane and Dulcolax, Opella is already the world’s third largest company in the over-the-counter (OTC) and vitamins, minerals, and supplements (VMS) markets.

The valuation of Opella is based on an enterprise value of approximately €16 billion, or approximately 14 times estimated 2024 EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization).

• Sanofi S.A., Paris, France
• Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC (CD&R), New York, NY, USA