Rottapharm makes biggest Italian pharma acquisition, buying Madaus

Monza, Italy-headquartered Rottapharm has made what it describes as the largest European merger and acquisition transaction completed by an Italian pharmaceutical company. This, it revealed, is its purchase of the German drugmaker Madaus Pharma, the pharmaceutical division of Madaus Holdings, from the financial group Droege International.

However, the companies involved have agreed to maintain confidentiality with regard to the purchase price, and the deal - which is expected to close by the end of July -is still subject to the approval of competent competition authorities.

The combined group, which will be headquartered in Monza, will be active in over 65 countries worldwide, with more than 2,000 employees. It will, according to Rottapharm, become one of the largest pharmaceutical companies focused on the development and distribution of natural pharmaceutical products.