Sanofi, a prominent French pharmaceutical and healthcare company, has recently made headlines with its announcement on October 11th regarding discussions with American private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) for the potential sale of its 50% controlling stake in Opella. This move is part of Sanofi’s strategic shift toward focusing on innovative drugs and vaccines, with ambitions to divest its remaining consumer health interests in the coming years.
Opella represents a significant segment of Sanofi’s business in the consumer health sector, employing over 11,000 individuals across 100 countries. The division is well-known for its well-established over-the-counter products, including the popular pain relief medication Doliprane (paracetamol) and allergy treatment Allegra (fexofenadine). Notably, Opella is also recognized as the third-largest global producer of vitamin and mineral supplements for consumer markets.
French Economy and Industry Ministers, Antoine Armand and Marc Ferracci, expressed their respect for Sanofi’s decision to engage in exclusive negotiations with CD&R. They noted that the private equity firm has a serious investment strategy that could lead to positive developments for Opella and its operations in France. Nevertheless, they emphasized the necessity for further commitments from both Sanofi and CD&R to preserve Opella’s operational footprint in France, cautioning that they would consider invoking regulations on foreign investment if required.
The sentiment surrounding the potential sale has sparked political controversy within France. Lawmaker Laurent Castillo from the center-right party, Les Républicains, articulated strong concerns regarding national health sovereignty, urging the government to oppose the deal. Castillo’s remarks highlight a broader anxiety about maintaining essential pharmaceuticals produced under French oversight.
In parallel, Deputy Charles Rodwell from the Renaissance party underscored the importance of Opella’s products for French families, asserting that legislative guarantees would be sought to protect these interests. He noted that over 60 French parliamentarians have urged the government to implement stricter controls on foreign investments.
This ongoing transaction unfolds against the backdrop of the European Union’s vulnerability in the pharmaceutical manufacturing sector, particularly due to the shift of production to cost-effective countries such as China and India. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored such dependencies, stirring discussions on ensuring stable pharmaceutical supplies. In response, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for legislative measures to safeguard the production of critical medications, which may influence the future of Sanofi and its consumer health division.