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) region, for an enterprise value of USD 390 million.

Deal Overview

The announcement, made on October 19, 2026, from Zurich, Switzerland, marks a pivotal step in expanding DKSH Healthcare's footprint beyond Asia Pacific and advances the company's strategic roadmap to become a leading multi-regional, end-to-end outsourcing platform.

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

According to the company, 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.

About NewBridge Pharmaceuticals

NewBridge Pharmaceuticals was established in 2010 in Dubai and is described as a leading healthcare commercialization platform for specialty and rare disease medicines in the MENA region. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are among its key markets.

The company carries a focused portfolio of innovative medicines spanning oncology, neurology, immunology, gastroenterology, and rare diseases.

NewBridge positions itself 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 is benefiting, according to the announcement, from structural growth in healthcare, increasing demand for regional commercialization partners, and supportive regulatory, market access, and reimbursement frameworks.

NewBridge is expected to generate Net sales of around USD 385 million in 2027, with a high single-digit EBITDA margin. The company's highly experienced and multinational management team, which has successfully developed the business, will become part of the DKSH organization as part of the transaction.

Strategic Rationale

The acquisition strengthens DKSH's capabilities in the higher-value segment of commercial outsourcing. It 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 commented on the transaction: "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 CEO Joe Henein also addressed the deal: "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."

Financing and Deal Structure

The acquisition will be financed with debt. DKSH stated that this approach keeps headroom for further M&A and maintains an unchanged progressive dividend policy. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2027.

Upon completion, DKSH and NewBridge will work together to ensure a smooth integration and continuity for customers, partners, and employees.

Analyst and Investor Briefing

DKSH has scheduled a live webcast for analysts and investors to present the acquisition, taking place today at 2:30 p.m. CEST. The presentation will be led by CEO Stefan Butz, CFO Ido Wallach, and Head of Business Unit Healthcare Patrik Grande.

A recording of the call will be made available on the DKSH website afterward.

Context Within DKSH's Healthcare Strategy

The NewBridge acquisition extends DKSH Healthcare into an entirely new region, as the business unit's footprint has previously been concentrated in Asia Pacific.

The move reflects the company's stated ambition to build a multi-regional, end-to-end outsourcing platform serving biopharmaceutical companies across multiple geographies and therapeutic areas, with particular emphasis on specialty and rare disease medicines and the commercialization of innovative therapies.

The announcement follows a series of other transaction-related news from DKSH's healthcare division, including an expansion of the company's pharma business through the acquisition of P.R. Chemicals in Thailand by DKSH Performance Materials and a strengthening of its Healthcare Own Brands business through the acquisition of the Meliane brand.

Your Edge in MENA Chemical Sector Research Starts with the Right Data Pipeline

How much opportunity slips through the cracks when market intelligence teams rely on scattered news alerts and outdated spreadsheets? Across the Middle East and North Africa, where new ventures, tenders, and partnerships in the chemical sector emerge weekly, staying ahead means having a single source of truth for every development that matters.

The Global Project Tracking (GPT) platform by Blackridge Research consolidates market activity across the MENA's chemical sector into one intelligent dashboard, giving research teams the clarity and speed they need to deliver sharper insights faster.

Whether you are sizing a new market, mapping competitive landscapes, or advising clients on where to invest, timely project-level data is the foundation of credible research.

• Upcoming Projects

• Tender Notices

• Contract Awards

• Projects Under Construction

• Completed Projects

See how it works for your research workflows. Book a Free Demo of the Global Project Tracking (GPT) platform by Blackridge Research today.