JOHANNESBURG, Dec 29 – Aspen Pharmacare has agreed to sell its key Asia Pacific operations, excluding China, to Australian private equity firm BGH Capital for A$2.37 billion ($1.59 billion), the company said on Monday.
The transaction follows an unsolicited approach from BGH Capital, which focuses on investments in Australia and New Zealand. Aspen said it had not initially planned to divest the assets but proceeded after evaluating the offer and its strategic implications.
The sale includes Aspen’s first international expansion outside South Africa, covering its pharmaceutical businesses in Australia and New Zealand, alongside operations in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Malaysia and the Philippines. The APAC portfolio accounted for 18% of group revenue and 26% of core profit for the year ended June 30, 2025.
Aspen said the divestment would support its efforts to reduce debt, boost capital flexibility and sharpen its focus on priority growth areas, including the production of GLP-1 medicines used in diabetes and obesity treatment.
Chief Executive Officer Stephen Saad said the transaction aligned with the group’s long-term strategy and represented a compelling outcome for shareholders. He added that existing employment conditions across the divested businesses were expected to continue unchanged.
Aspen has been positioning itself to benefit from strong global demand for weight-loss and diabetes treatments, including its role as a marketer for Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro. The group has also announced plans to restructure sterile manufacturing facilities in France and South Africa to lower costs.
In September, Aspen reported an annual loss of 1.1 billion rand, citing significant asset impairments linked to contractual disputes over mRNA products and rising operating costs.
