Suven to acquire controlling stake in NJ Bio, Inc., an ADC specialist player

Suven Pharmaceuticals Limited ("Suven"), a technology-leading CDMO specializing in complex and innovative drug modalities, has announced the acquisition of a controlling stake in NJ Bio Inc. ("NJ Bio") with an investment of $64.4 million.

Based in Princeton, NJ Bio is a premier ADC/XDC-focused CRDMO offering cutting-edge solutions across the ADC value chain. It was founded by Dr Naresh Jain, a well renowned scientist in the ADC space, holding PhD from Boston University & Post Doctoral Research Fellow at The Scripps Research Institute, California. He had previously founded The Chemical Research Solution LLC (an ADC CRO) and served in senior R&D roles at J&J for 8+ years. NJ Bio has served 150+ customers, delivered over 500 projects in 5 years, and won the prestigious World ADC Awards for four consecutive years (2021-24).

Strategic Rationale:

1. Leadership in a high growth market: The ADC outsourcing market, valued at $2.7bn, is projected to grow at 25%+ annually. This acquisition positions Suven as a key player in one of the fastest growing segments of the Pharma CDMO landscape.

2. Comprehensive ADC chemistry capabilities: Extends Suven's current ADC offering with expertise across payload chemistry, payload-linker synthesis, bioconjugation, and ADCspecific analytical platform.

3. Founder and team with deep domain expertise: Led by a founder and senior team with decades of ADC expertise and multiple industry accolades.

4. Strategic US presence: State-of-the-art 80,000 sq ft R&D and manufacturing facility in Princeton coupled with a highly talented pool of technical experts provides Suven with a nearshore presence and offers customers flexible dual location solutions across the US and India.

5. Enhanced cross-selling opportunities: Combines complementary customer bases across small-to-mid biotech and large pharma, creating significant cross-selling potential. 6. Creates a unique tech-focused CRDMO: One of the few CRDMOs with US + India footprint and presence across major new modalities like ADC, Nucleic Acid Chemistry, mRNA.

Transaction Highlights:

Investment: Suven will acquire 56% stake in NJ Bio (pre-money valuation of US$100mn) through a combination of primary and secondary:

- US$49.4mn for buying out the existing minority shareholders

- US$15mn as primary equity infusion; will be mainly used for capex (GMP expansion at the existing Princeton facility)

- Deal is valued at a low-to-mid teens multiple of CY25 projected EBITDA, based on growth outlook

- Call/Put Option arrangement to acquire balance stake after 5 years

Leadership Continuity: Dr. Jain will continue to lead NJ Bio in the next phase of its growth, along with the senior leadership group and a skilled scientific workforce that he has brought together over the years.

Key Financials: NJ Bio is expected to record revenues of ~US$32 million in CY24, reflecting a 70%+ CAGR since CY2021. The Company has consistently invested in R&D to develop novel technology platforms related to ADC drug development as well as a more recently set up a cGMP compliant manufacturing facility.

The transaction is expected to close before the end of December 2024.

On this acquisition our Executive Chairman, Mr Vivek Sharma, said "We are very excited to partner with Dr Jain and his team and welcome them to the Suven family. This transaction is in line with our vision of being a technology-led CDMO, offering end-to-end solutions in emerging modalities like ADCs. NJ Bio's capabilities and established customer relationships will accelerate Suven's journey as a global leader in this fast-growing ADC/XDC segment which is emerging as a very important modality and has improved the lives of well over 100,000 patients already."

Dr. V. Prasada Raju, MD, Suven added "Through NJ Bio, we deepen our pioneering expertise and offerings across the ADC value chain, from R&D to commercialization. NJ Bio's capabilities in drug discovery and early-stage development gives us the much-desired early entry point in the customer's ADC drug development cycle while also giving us access to ADC focused innovator companies with longstanding relationships."

Dr. Naresh Jain, Founder & CEO, NJ Bio said "NJ Bio has, over the last few years, created enormous value for our clients by solving complex ADC challenges. We have been instrumental in moving our client's discovery programs to rapid proof-of-concept and clinical manufacturing. Now, I am thrilled to announce that NJ Bio will strategically partner with Suven, a technology-led CDMO, which will enable NJ Bio to also provide its clients with expanded capabilities from discovery to commercial manufacturing. I am confident that with NJ Bio and Suven's synergistic capabilities, we will emerge as a leading global CDMO in ADCs and other emerging modalities."

Shares of Suven Pharmaceuticals Limited was last trading in BSE at Rs. 1295.15 as compared to the previous close of Rs. 1299.40. The total number of shares traded during the day was 5386 in over 610 trades.

The stock hit an intraday high of Rs. 1310.00 and intraday low of 1285.00. The net turnover during the day was Rs. 6978305.00.

Source : Equity Bulls

Keywords

SuvenPharmaceuticals INE03QK01018 CDMO Acquisition NJBioInc