Arsenal announces sale of Certara, retains significant minority investment stake

- Arsenal announces the sale of Certara, the global leader in model-informed (in silico) drug development and regulatory science, focused on optimizing drug development and improving health outcomes

- Certara's solutions help to inform and accelerate drug development and regulatory approval processes, while addressing the key efficacy, safety, productivity and commercial challenges facing the biopharma industry

News provided by

Arsenal Capital Partners

Jul 11, 2017, 08:00 ET

NEW YORK, July 11, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Arsenal Capital Partners ("Arsenal") today announced that it has agreed to sell its portfolio company, Certara (the "Company"), the leading provider of technology-driven decision support solutions for drug development, to EQT VII Fund for an enterprise value of $850 million. As part of the transaction, Arsenal Capital Partners will retain a minority ownership stake in Certara. The Company's current management team, led by Edmundo Muniz, MD, PhD, will continue to lead the organization, building on a multi-year track record of both organic growth and strategic acquisitions.

Certara is the leading provider of model-informed drug development technology and services, as well as a best-in-class provider of regulatory science, writing, and submission management software and services. Certara's solutions help inform the drug development and regulatory approval process and address the key efficacy, safety, productivity and commercial challenges facing the biopharma industry. The Company serves 1,200 commercial companies, 250 academic institutions and numerous regulatory agencies, across 60 countries. Certara is headquartered in Princeton, New Jersey with over 500 employees globally, including key operations and senior management in Northern Europe.

Stephen McLean, Partner at Arsenal and Co-Head of the Healthcare practice, said "Arsenal's healthcare team is committed to facilitating systemic improvement in the efficacy and safety of pharmaceutical and biotechnology treatments and cures. We are proud of the significant contribution Certara is making to this critical initiative and the global leadership it has established. We are confident that our new partnership with EQT will enable Certara to further expand its industry leading capabilities."

"Working with Arsenal has spurred Certara's growth trajectory, enabling us to refine our strategy, make critical investments and add key capabilities to significantly impact the process of drug development," said Edmundo Muniz, MD, PhD and CEO of Certara. "Arsenal is a visionary organization, committed to improving global healthcare and bringing safer medicines to patients. They have been an outstanding partner to Certara. We look forward to the next chapter of Certara's growth in partnership with EQT and with Arsenal's continuing support."

Jefferies LLC is serving as lead financial advisor and William Blair & Company as co-advisor to Certara. DLA Piper and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP are serving as legal advisors to Certara. Centerview Partners is serving as financial advisor and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is serving as legal advisor to EQT VII.

Arsenal's Media Contact Information

Chris Tofalli:
[email protected]
914-834-4334

About Arsenal
Arsenal Capital Partners is a specialized private equity firm that invests in the US lower middle market with a deep focus in two sectors, Healthcare and Specialty Industrials. Since inception in 2000, Arsenal has raised four funds totaling $2.98 billion in committed capital under management. Arsenal has completed over 100 transactions, including platform portfolio companies and follow-on acquisitions.

More info: www.arsenalcapital.com

About Certara
Certara is a leading decision support technology and consulting organization committed to optimizing drug development and improving health outcomes. Certara's solutions, which span drug discovery through patient care, use the most scientifically-advanced modeling and simulation technologies and regulatory strategies to increase the probability of regulatory and commercial success. Its clients include hundreds of global biopharmaceutical companies, leading academic institutions, and key regulatory agencies.

More info: www.certara.com

About EQT
EQT is a leading alternative investments firm with approximately EUR 37 billion in raised capital across 24 funds. EQT funds have portfolio companies in Europe, Asia and the US with total sales of more than EUR 19 billion and approximately 110,000 employees. EQT works with portfolio companies to achieve sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership. EQT is an active investor in the healthcare sector, including recent investments in Press Ganey, Ottobock, Sivantos, and Lima Corporate.

More info: www.eqtpartners.com

SOURCE Arsenal Capital Partners