Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. is purchasing PPD Inc. for $17.4 billion plus the assumption of approximately $3.5 billion of net debt, in the year's biggest deal to date.

“Pharma and biotech is our largest and fastest growing end market, and our customers value us as a strategic partner and an industry leader. The acquisition of PPD is a natural extension for Thermo Fisher and will enable us to provide these customers with important clinical research services and partner with them in new and exciting ways as they move a scientific idea to an approved medicine quickly, reliably and cost effectively,” said Marc N. Casper, chairman, president and CEO, Thermo Fisher Scientific. “Longer term, we plan to continue to invest in and connect the capabilities across the combined company to further help our customers accelerate innovation and drive productivity, while driving further value for our shareholders.” 

The purchase price represents a premium of approximately 24 percent to the unaffected closing price of PPD's common stock on the Nasdaq as of April 13, or 32 percent to the 60-day VWAP inclusive of that date.
 
PPD provides a broad range of clinical research and laboratory services to enable customers to accelerate innovation and increase drug development productivity. A leader in the growing $50 billion clinical research services industry, PPD has more than 26,000 colleagues operating in nearly 50 countries. In 2020, the company generated revenue of $4.7 billion. Upon close of the transaction, PPD will become part of Thermo Fisher’s Laboratory Products and Services Segment. 
 
"This is a very exciting announcement for our shareholders and will provide customers with an even better opportunity to bring meaningful innovation to the market faster and more efficiently. Thermo Fisher is a world-class company with a very similar culture and values and will provide a great foundation for our colleagues to continue to deliver for our customers and to develop their own skills and careers,” said David Simmons, chairman and CEO of PPD.
 
The deal establishes Thermo Fisher as one of the global leaders in the clinical research services industry. PPD serves a $50 billion industry forecasted to grow long-term in the mid-single digits, driven by scientific breakthroughs, the continued expected robust funding for drug discovery and the need for strategic suppliers for the pharma and biotech industry to help them bring safe and effective medicines to the patients that need them. PPD has invested significantly in its capabilities and is one of the leading global players providing services to both emerging biotech customers and to all of the top pharma companies in the world.
 
The acquisition also further enhances Thermo Fisher's value proposition for pharma and biotech customers by adding highly complementary services. Thermo Fisher is a leading supplier to the pharma and biotech industry, supporting research and development, clinical trials and production. PPD enhances Thermo Fisher’s offering, bringing a proven drug development platform, excellent patient recruitment capabilities, strong laboratory services and a complementary reputation for excellent quality and service. These combined capabilities further enhance Thermo Fisher’s value proposition to pharma and biotech customers and allow them to more efficiently access these services, which are key enablers of their success.

Casper added, “Both companies have complementary mission-driven cultures, and I can’t wait to welcome PPD’s colleagues from around the world to Thermo Fisher once the transaction is completed.” 
 
In the near-term, Thermo Fisher’s access to key decision makers in pharma and biotech companies will increase the opportunities for PPD to win additional work from existing and new customers as the pandemic has further highlighted the need for these customers to develop strategic relationships with their key suppliers. The combined company's extensive capabilities and knowledge in serving the pharma and biotech industry will enable new solutions for customers that create the potential to reduce the time and cost of the drug development process.
 
The transaction is expected to be immediately and significantly accretive to Thermo Fisher's adjusted EPS, adding $1.40 in the first 12 months after close. Thermo Fisher expects to realize total synergies of approximately $125 million by year three following close, consisting of approximately $75 million of cost synergies and approximately $50 million of adjusted operating income benefit from revenue-related synergies.
 
The transaction, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2021, is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals. 
 
In addition to board approval, shareholders holding in aggregate approximately 60 percent of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of PPD have approved the transaction by written consent. No further action by other PPD shareholders is required to approve the transaction.
 
Thermo Fisher has obtained committed bridge financing with respect to a portion of the purchase price. To fund the transaction, Thermo Fisher intends to use proceeds from debt financing and cash on hand.
 
Barclays Capital, Inc. and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC are serving as financial advisors to Thermo Fisher, and Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP and Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP are serving as legal counsel. For PPD, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is serving as exclusive financial advisor, while Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett LLP is serving as legal counsel.