The acquisition advances PMI’s goal to become a majority smoke-free business by 2025 and creates growth opportunities beyond nicotine.
On July 1, Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI) announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Fertin Pharma A/S (Fertin Pharma), a leading developer and manufacturer of innovative pharmaceutical and well-being products based on oral and intra-oral delivery systems, for an enterprise value of DKK 5.1 billion (approximately USD 820 million1).
“The acquisition of Fertin Pharma will be a significant step forward on our journey toward delivering a smoke-free future—enhancing our smoke-free portfolio, notably in modern oral, and accelerating our progress in beyond nicotine,” stated Jacek Olczak, Chief Executive Officer.
“Both PMI and Fertin share a commitment to science and consumer-centric innovations for better living, and I am delighted we have reached this agreement. Fertin’s diverse portfolio of technologies, evolving business mix, and world-class expertise will enrich our innovation pipeline and capabilities, providing speed and scale in oral delivery to support our 2025 goals of generating more than 50% of our net revenues from smoke-free products and at least USD 1 billion from products beyond nicotine.”
Fertin Pharma is a privately held company with more than 850 employees and operations in Denmark, Canada, and India. It is a leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), specializing in the research, development and production of gums, pouches, liquefiable tablets, and other solid oral systems for the delivery of active ingredients, including nicotine, where it is a leading producer of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) solutions.
With the acquisition of Fertin Pharma, PMI will:
- Gain substantial know-how for the development, formulation and commercialization of current and additional smoke-free platforms—including the ability to accelerate our presence in the fast-growing modern oral category, providing superior consumer experience through a broad range of smoke-free products such as nicotine pouches and lozenges.
- Leverage on Fertin’s oral delivery platforms to access a range of promising technologies—complementary to PMI’s inhalation expertise—for scientifically substantiated botanicals and other selfcare wellness products, including over-the-counter solutions and supplements that improve people’s lives in areas such as sleep, energy, calm, and focus.
- Further build our overall platform of R&D and manufacturing expertise in nicotine and beyond nicotine product areas through the addition of Fertin’s strong capabilities and skilled workforce, including 80 scientists.
- Accelerate progress on key sustainability priorities, notably in broadening the reach and access of our smoke-free alternatives to adult smokers around the world to accelerate the end of smoking and building a strong beyond nicotine business.
Earlier this year, PMI announced its goal to generate more than 50 percent of its total net revenues from smoke-free products by 2025. In addition to its continued commitment to achieve a smoke-free future, PMI aims to leverage capabilities in life sciences, product innovation, and clinical expertise to expand its portfolio beyond tobacco and nicotine, with scientifically substantiated products and solutions that improve people’s lives and generate a net positive impact on society.
