The French pharmaceutical group Sanofi confirmed this Friday, October 11 that it was in exclusive negotiations with the American fund CD & R to sell it a majority stake in Opella, an entity which markets the very popular paracetamol brand Doliprane. Sanofi announces in a press release “having started negotiations with CD & R for the potential sale of a 50% controlling stake in Opella, its consumer health activity”, which has around a hundred brands sold without a prescription, confirming information to this effect reported Thursday evening by the media.
“If the discussions were to result positively, any agreement would be concluded after consultation with the staff representative bodies,” adds the group which will communicate “in due time, when a decision has been taken” on this large-scale operation.
5.2 billion euros in turnover in 2023
According to the economic newspaper Les Echosthe potential American buyer offered more than 15 billion euros to get its hands on Sanofi’s consumer health business, focused on non-prescription products and vitamins/minerals. This subsidiary, present in 100 countries, includes more than a hundred brands, including Doliprane, Dulcolax, Lysopaïne, and even Maalox. It achieved a turnover of 5.2 billion euros in 2023.
The separation project was announced almost a year ago to allow Sanofi to accelerate innovation and position itself as a champion of immunology and for Opella to focus on its main activity, considered closer to ‘a logic of consumption that of the pharmacy.
Since then, however, this split has raised questions regarding the future of Doliprane with fears of relocation of its production. Vigilance is required at the executive level because the supply of paracetamol experienced periods of tension during the winter of 2022-2023. The French Minister in charge of Industry Marc Ferracci thus requested commitments from Sanofi and the future buyer aimed at guaranteeing the “maintenance of the headquarters and decision-making centers on the national territory” and “the French industrial footprint of Opella “.