Zentiva changes hands. An American fund will invest in the Czech company.

• Change of ownership of the largest Czech pharmaceutical company and one of the largest generic producers in Europe
• Existing investor Advent sells Zentiva to another private equity fund, GTCR
• The transaction is subject to standard regulatory approvals and is expected to close in 2026.

Zentiva, a Czech pharmaceutical company specializing in generic drugs, will change ownership. Current investor Advent is selling the company to another private equity fund, GTCR.

Since acquiring Zentiva from Sanofi in 2018, Advent has worked closely with the management team to transform the company and invest in the development of Zentiva’s medicines portfolio and manufacturing capabilities, both organically and through targeted mergers and acquisitions.

Zentiva's next phase of development is being taken over by GTCR, a private equity firm with experience in healthcare investments and industry expertise in the pharmaceutical space. Over the past 20 years, GTCR has invested in numerous leading platforms and completed dozens of acquisitions in this sector.

GTCR is ideally positioned to support Zentiva, with its experience in the pharmaceutical industry and a collaborative approach with management teams to build market-leading companies through organic growth, product innovation and strategic acquisitions.

"When we acquired Zentiva from Sanofi in 2018, we saw an opportunity to build an independent European leader in affordable medicines. Thanks to active collaboration with the management team and investments in the company's core competencies, Zentiva more than doubled its revenue and EBITDA, creating a solid foundation for the future," commented Tom Allen, Managing Director of Advent.

"The company has an impressive history of expansion – both organically and through acquisitions – and boasts a strong market potential and a highly efficient manufacturing platform focused on delivering high-value medicines to patients across Europe. We look forward to supporting Zentiva as it continues to achieve its mission," said GTCR representative Sean Cunningham.

The transaction is subject to standard regulatory approvals and is expected to close in 2026.

Advent was advised by Goldman Sachs and PJT Partners on financial matters and by Freshfields on legal matters. GTCR was advised by Barclays Bank PLC, acting through its investment bank, BNP Paribas as lead financial advisor, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC as financial advisor, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP as legal advisor.

Copyrighted material - reprint rules are specified in the regulations .