Prague, Czech Republic; London, UK; Chicago, US – September 11, 2025 – Zentiva, a leading European generics pharmaceutical company, today announced that it will transition ownership from Advent International to GTCR, a U.S.-based private equity firm with deep healthcare expertise. The sale underscores Zentiva’s transformation since Advent’s 2018 acquisition from Sanofi and positions the company for its next stage of growth in generics and affordable medicines across Europe.
Science Significance
Generics and biosimilars play a critical role in modern healthcare systems, ensuring equitable access to high-quality therapies across therapeutic areas from cardiovascular disease to oncology. Zentiva’s strong R&D platform and operational excellence have enabled it to expand its portfolio, double revenues under Advent’s stewardship, and establish itself as a leading European independent pharma.
By continuing to strengthen its R&D pipeline and manufacturing base, Zentiva supports scientific innovation in drug formulation, bioequivalence, and biosimilar development, advancing the science of affordability without compromising quality.
Regulatory Significance
The transaction will be subject to customary regulatory approvals, reflecting the importance of maintaining compliance and transparency in Europe’s tightly regulated pharmaceutical sector. Zentiva’s established record of meeting EMA and national authority standards ensures supply continuity and quality assurance for millions of patients.
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From a regulatory policy perspective, the deal highlights ongoing investor confidence in the European generics sector, which regulators view as a backbone for sustainable healthcare financing and drug availability.
Business Significance
Since acquiring Zentiva in 2018, Advent International worked closely with the management team to transform the company into a profitable, standalone leader, investing in both organic growth and targeted acquisitions. This strategy more than doubled revenue and EBITDA, making Zentiva one of Advent’s strongest carve-out successes.
GTCR’s acquisition signals its long-term commitment to the pharmaceutical sector, building on a 20-year track record of healthcare investments. With significant capital resources and experience executing growth strategies, GTCR is well-positioned to support Zentiva’s next phase, focusing on expansion into biosimilars, operational efficiency, and further European market penetration.
Patients’ Significance
For more than 100 million patients in 30+ countries, Zentiva remains a trusted provider of affordable and high-quality medicines. The transition to GTCR ownership is designed to secure continuity of supply, broaden therapeutic access, and accelerate new product launches.
Patients stand to benefit as Zentiva leverages fresh investment to reinforce manufacturing capacity, expand product diversity, and ensure long-term sustainability of cost-effective treatments. This is particularly crucial for patients in regions with constrained healthcare budgets.
Policy Significance
The transaction comes at a time when European governments are prioritizing drug affordability and supply chain resilience. Zentiva’s expanded footprint directly supports EU and national strategies to ensure security of supply and reduce dependence on external producers.
By reinforcing Zentiva’s capabilities, the acquisition also complements policy goals of maintaining a competitive generics sector to balance innovation with accessibility, an imperative in managing aging populations and rising healthcare costs.
Transaction Highlights
Advent International will transfer ownership of Zentiva to GTCR, with closing expected in early 2026 pending regulatory approvals. During Advent’s stewardship since 2018, Zentiva successfully transformed into an independent leader in European generics, more than doubling its revenue and EBITDA while expanding its portfolio and manufacturing capabilities in Prague and Ankleshwar. The transition to GTCR marks a new phase of growth, as the U.S. private equity firm brings decades of healthcare investment experience and a strong track record of partnering with management teams. Under the leadership of CEO Steffen Saltofte, Zentiva will pursue further expansion in generics and biosimilars, invest in operational excellence, and continue strategic acquisitions across Europe. This acquisition secures Zentiva’s role as a provider of affordable, high-quality medicines to over 100 million patients, while positioning the company for long-term growth and resilience under GTCR’s ownership.
Source: Zentiva Press Release
