Advent Drops Out of Sanofi’s Doliprane Bidding War

The race for Sanofi’s Doliprane is heating up as US fund Advent has reportedly withdrawn from the bidding process for Opella, the pharmaceutical giant’s consumer healthcare division, which could be valued at over €15 billion. Advent’s withdrawal leaves CD&R and PAI as the remaining contenders. Sanofi has maintained it is open to both a sale and an IPO. This decision comes after Advent’s previous successful acquisition of Sanofi’s European generic drug unit, Zentiva, in 2018. The French government has expressed concerns about the sale of Opella, potentially imposing strict conditions on foreign investors. Despite Advent’s departure, Sanofi is expected to set a second round of bidding in October, aiming to finalize offers before releasing its quarterly results. The group remains open to both a sale and a potential initial public offering (IPO) for its consumer healthcare division.