Lonza Completes Strategic Transformation with $3 Billion Divestment of Capsules & Health Ingredients Business
Key Insights
Lonza has agreed to divest its Capsules & Health Ingredients business to Lone Star Funds (search) for an enterprise value of CHF 2.3 billion ($3 billion), marking the final step in its transformation to a pure-play CDMO.
The company will receive CHF 1.7 billion ($2.2 billion) in upfront cash proceeds while retaining a 40% stake with preferential participation in future exit proceeds.
Total undiscounted value from the full CHI exit is expected to reach or exceed CHF 3 billion (~$4 billion), providing significant capital for reinvestment in CDMO operations.
Lonza has entered into a definitive agreement to divest its Capsules & Health Ingredients (CHI) business to Lone Star Funds (search) for an enterprise value of CHF 2.3 billion ($3 billion), completing the Swiss pharmaceutical services company's strategic transformation into a pure-play contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO).
The transaction represents the most significant milestone in Lonza's portfolio reshaping over the past 1.5 years. Under the agreement, Lonza will receive upfront cash proceeds of CHF 1.7 billion ($2.2 billion) while retaining a 40% stake in the business with additional preferential participation in future exit proceeds.
Strategic Portfolio Transformation
Wolfgang Wienand, CEO of Lonza, emphasized the transformative nature of the deal: "With the sale of CHI and the three other recent divestments, in less than two years we have reshaped our company and activated our vision of One Lonza as a pure-play CDMO. We are now able to laser-focus on where we are strongest and can create most value for our customers, people and shareholders."
The CHI divestment follows recent agreements to sell the Personalized Medicines business including the Cocoon Platform to Octane Medical Group (search), the Moda software platform to the parent company of Starlims Corporation (search), and the small molecules micronization site in Monteggio to Microsize and Schedio Group (search).
Financial Structure and Value Creation
The transaction structure provides Lonza with multiple value creation opportunities. Considering the leading position and strengths of the CHI business after its expected return to growth in 2025, the total undiscounted value of proceeds from the full exit from CHI is expected to be at or above CHF 3 billion (~$4 billion). This includes upfront proceeds, proceeds from future sale of the retained 40% stake, and preferential participation in exit proceeds.
Lonza's proceeds on exit are subject to Lone Star receiving an initial return equal to its equity investment, providing a structured approach to value realization.
Capital Allocation and Shareholder Returns
The proceeds from the CHI exit will become part of Lonza's discretionary cash pool within its defined capital allocation framework. The company plans to fund prioritized organic growth opportunities and bolt-on acquisitions with attractive return profiles, adding capacities and technologies in line with the One Lonza Strategy.
Given the expected moderation of organic capital expenditures to mid-to-high teens percentages of sales in the mid-term and the substantial upfront proceeds, Lonza's leverage is anticipated to be materially below target levels. To address this surplus capital, the company will return CHF 500 million to shareholders via a share buyback program to be executed after receipt of the upfront proceeds.
CDMO Growth Strategy
Following the transaction, Lonza will operate across three complementary and integrated CDMO Business Platforms, all powered by the Lonza Engine as their unique set of strengths, leveraging cutting-edge science, smart technology and lean manufacturing for complex and emerging pharmaceutical modalities.
The company has committed to its CDMO Organic Growth Model targeting low teens constant exchange rate (CER) sales growth on average over time at expanding margins, while investing mid-to-high teens percentages of sales.
Transaction Timeline and Financial Impact
The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions relating to regulatory approvals and completion of the legal separation of CHI from Lonza's wider business.
Lonza estimates it will recognize an extraordinary non-cash impairment including goodwill related to CHI assets of around CHF 1.3 billion in its Financial Statements for Financial Year 2025. This effect will be allocated to discontinued operations and will not impact Core EBITDA of continuing operations.
The retained interest in CHI will be accounted for as an investment in an associated company with Lonza as a minority shareholder not having management control.
Partnership with Lone Star
Lone Star brings an established track record of reaching the full potential of portfolio companies with similar characteristics to CHI by empowering management and investing for the future. The investment firm has confirmed that maintaining high standards of service delivery and quality for customers are a core foundation of their strategy for CHI following closing.
Lonza remains committed to its progressive dividend policy, maintaining or growing its dividend per share year-on-year, while maintaining leverage levels and a credit profile consistent with its Standard & Poor's investment grade credit profile of BBB+, which has been consistently reaffirmed since 2019.