Nektar Announces Definitive Agreement with Ampersand Capital Partners to Sell Its Commercial PEGylation Reagent Manufacturing Business in Alabama

Nektar Therapeutics, a global biotechnology company focused on the discovery and development of novel therapies to treat autoimmune disorders, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Huntsville, Alabama manufacturing facility and reagent supply business to Ampersand Capital Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm with a decades-long track record of investing in life sciences and healthcare companies, including contract manufacturing and pharma services businesses.

Ampersand has agreed to acquire Nektar’s commercial-scale manufacturing facility and PEGylation reagent supply business for a total consideration of $90 million, comprised of $70 million in cash proceeds and $20 million in a retained equity position for Nektar in a newly-created Ampersand portfolio company. Ampersand has also committed to invest additional growth equity capital into the new portfolio company. Following the closing of the transaction, Nektar will be entitled to appoint a representative to the board of the new Ampersand portfolio company.

The Huntsville site is a 124,000 square foot, commercial-scale specialized manufacturing facility with a strong history of supporting commercial supply chains for PEGylated therapeutics across global markets. The facility has several commercial-scale supply chain contracts with leading pharmaceutical companies. All of Nektar’s employees at the Huntsville facility will be offered employment at the new portfolio company, ensuring continuity in the high-quality manufacturing and PEGylation expertise that longstanding customers trust and rely on.

“This sale streamlines Nektar’s operations as we continue to focus on the future success and clinical advancement of rezpegaldesleukin and our other antibody-based immunology pipeline assets, including our TNFR2 antibody and bispecific programs,” said Howard W. Robin, President and CEO of Nektar Therapeutics.  “We believe Ampersand is an optimal partner to lead the manufacturing activities at the Huntsville facility. Importantly, Ampersand’s commitment to investing in the plant’s business will help ensure that Nektar’s existing commercial customers of PEGylation reagents will continue to be well served and will also provide uninterrupted access to a reliable supply of PEGylation reagents for Nektar’s needs. The sale also further extends Nektar’s cash runway into the fourth quarter of 2026.”

Nektar and the new Ampersand portfolio company will be entering into manufacturing supply agreements to meet Nektar’s PEG reagent needs for rezpegaldesleukin and certain pipeline programs.

“We were immediately impressed with the world-class PEGylation reagent manufacturing capabilities at this facility,” said David Anderson, General Partner, Ampersand Capital Partners. “The Huntsville site and its employees have played an important role in the development of significant FDA-approved PEGylated therapeutic medicines. We look forward to investing in and growing the site as a stand-alone manufacturing business dedicated to serving existing and new customers.”

The sale is not subject to financing contingencies. The transaction will be subject to customary closing conditions and costs and is expected to close by December 2, 2024. Following the closing, Nektar will retain all rights to current and future royalty streams and milestones related to existing PEGylated product license agreements.

UBS Investment Bank acted as exclusive financial advisor and Sidley Austin LLP served as legal advisor to Nektar Therapeutics. Goodwin Procter LLP acted as legal advisor to Ampersand Capital Partners.