DKSH Expands Healthcare Presence Across Middle East and North Africa With $390 Million NewBridge Pharmaceuticals Acquisition

Zurich-headquartered DKSH has signed an agreement to acquire 100% of NewBridge Pharmaceuticals, a Dubai-headquartered healthcare commercialization platform with operations across 14 markets in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), for an enterprise value of USD 390 million.

The deal, announced on October 19, 2026, marks DKSH Healthcare's expansion into a new region and strengthens its capabilities in the higher-value segment of commercial outsourcing.

Dubai-Based Platform Extends DKSH Beyond Asia Pacific

The acquisition represents a pivotal step in expanding DKSH Healthcare's footprint beyond Asia Pacific and advances the unit's strategic roadmap to become a leading multi-regional, end-to-end outsourcing platform.

It also aligns with DKSH's broader strategy to accelerate mergers and acquisitions.

Deal Structure and Financial Expectations

The transaction is expected to be accretive to DKSH's net sales growth and Core EBIT margin, as well as to earnings per share from closing. NewBridge is expected to generate net sales of around USD 385 million in 2027, with a high single-digit EBITDA margin.

The acquisition will be financed with debt, keeping headroom for further M&A and an unchanged progressive dividend policy. The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2027. DKSH and NewBridge will work together to ensure a smooth integration and continuity for customers, partners, and employees upon completion.

A Specialized Portfolio Across Key Therapeutic Areas

NewBridge was established in 2010 in Dubai, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates among its key markets. The company holds a focused portfolio of innovative medicines spanning oncology, neurology, immunology, gastroenterology, and rare diseases.

According to DKSH, the company is benefiting from structural growth in healthcare, increasing demand for regional commercialization partners, and supportive regulatory, market access, and reimbursement frameworks in the region.

NewBridge is described as a partner of choice for pharmaceutical companies in the region, with a proven track record and long-standing relationships across a broad partner base. Its end-to-end regional commercialization platform combines specialized market access, medical affairs, and sales force capabilities with scientific partnerships across the healthcare ecosystem.

The company's highly experienced and multinational management team, which has successfully developed the business, will become part of the DKSH organization.

Strengthening Specialty and Rare Disease Capabilities

The acquisition enhances DKSH's offering as a single partner of choice for biopharmaceutical companies across a wider range of geographies and strengthens the commercialization of innovative medicines for specialty and rare diseases, including launch excellence, market access, and medical affairs.

DKSH CEO Stefan Butz said, "We are very delighted to have signed the agreement to acquire NewBridge and look forward to welcoming its talented team to DKSH. The acquisition further strengthens our healthcare commercial outsourcing business, a strategic focus area that has been a consistent growth driver in recent years. It also represents an important step in our strategy to expand beyond Asia Pacific into structurally attractive healthcare markets and to strengthen our capabilities in rare diseases and innovative launches. Together, we will be even better positioned to support multinational healthcare and biotech companies across a broader range of geographies and therapeutic areas."

NewBridge Leadership on the Combination

NewBridge CEO Joe Henein commented, "We are extremely proud of what the NewBridge team has built and incredibly excited to join forces with DKSH. The combination brings together two highly complementary organizations with a shared commitment to supporting healthcare companies and improving patient access to innovative therapies. With DKSH's scale, expertise, and long-term commitment to growth, we are ideally positioned to accelerate the next phase of our development and create additional value for our clients and partners across the region."

Investor Briefing Scheduled

DKSH CEO Stefan Butz, CFO Ido Wallach, and Head of Business Unit Healthcare Patrik Grande presented the acquisition in a live webcast for analysts and investors on the day of the announcement at 2:30 p.m. CEST. A recording of the call was made available on the DKSH website afterward.

The announcement was made in the form of an ad hoc notice pursuant to Article 53 of the SIX Listing Rules. Media and investor inquiries were directed to Livia Baratta, Head of Group Investor & Media Relations, and Moritz Stähelin, Senior Manager of Group Investor Relations, at DKSH Holding Ltd.