Sawai Ends American Dream With Upsher-Smith Sale

Bora Strikes $210m Deal For US Unit

Japanese generics giant Sawai is pulling out of the US market, agreeing a deal to divest its Upsher-Smith business to Taiwan’s Bora Pharmaceuticals in a deal worth a little over $200m. As Sawai explained its rationale for the move, Bora pointed to “significant opportunities” for its TWi commercial prescription unit arising from the acquisition.

USA and Japan flags ripped apart
Sawai selling US Upsher-Smith business to focus on Japan • Source: Shutterstock

Sawai Pharmaceutical has agreed to sell its Upsher-Smith Laboratories business to Taiwan’s Bora Pharmaceuticals in a deal worth up to $210m, bringing to an end a near seven-year sojourn in the US market for the Japanese generics giant.

Announcing the divestment – which remains subject to customary regulatory approvals – Sawai cited multiple factors, including buyer consolidation and competition from Indian rivals, as well as the need to focus on its domestic

Key takeaways:
  • Japan’s Sawai has agreed to sell its US Upsher-Smith business to Taiwan’s Bora in a deal worth up to $210m.

  • Upsher-Smith was acquired for $1.05bn by Sawai in 2017.

  • Factors influencing Sawai’s decision to sell included competitive pressures from US purchaser consolidation and Indian rivals, as well as the need to focus on Japan

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