JAZZ PHARMACEUTICALS ANNOUNCES $250 MILLION
FINANCING
Developing and Commercializing Products in
Neurology and Psychiatry
PALO ALTO, Calif., March 24, 2004
-- Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today
the completion of a $250 million financing with
private equity and venture capital investors.
The company is focused on improving the lives
of patients through the development and commercialization
of important pharmaceutical products that treat
neurologic and psychiatric disorders. Jazz Pharmaceuticals
is creating innovative therapeutics by improving
and expanding the uses of known compounds, and
is aggressively adding to its pharmaceutical
product portfolio through licensing, acquisitions
and collaborations.
"This financing enables us to simultaneously
build our commercial organization and expand
our portfolio of early and late-stage development
projects, thereby creating robust neurology
and psychiatry franchises," said Bruce
C. Cozadd, Executive Chairman of Jazz Pharmaceuticals.
"We are pleased to have received such enthusiastic
support for our strategy from an outstanding
group of investors."
"Our organization has the product development
and commercial experience to rapidly develop
important new products to meet the needs of
neurology and psychiatry patients," said
Samuel R. Saks, M.D., Chief Executive Officer
of Jazz Pharmaceuticals. "We intend to
work closely with patients, healthcare providers
and patient advocacy groups to build a strong
presence in these areas, and to be able to respond
to the clear need for therapeutic innovation."
The $250 million Series B financing was led
by an affiliate of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts &
Co. (KKR), a new investor in the company. Participants
included the company's management and its Series
A investors, Prospect Venture Partners and Versant
Ventures, along with new investors Beecken Petty
O'Keefe & Company, Golden Gate Capital and
Thoma Cressey Equity Partners. Other new investors
included Adams Street Partners, EGS Healthcare
Capital Partners, Lehman Brothers Healthcare
Fund and an entity associated with the Oak Hill
investment group. Jazz Pharmaceuticals completed
a $15 million Series A round in April 2003.
"Our investment exemplifies one of our
core investment philosophies, which is to back
strong managers with deep industry expertise,"
stated Michael Michelson, a member of KKR. "We
believe Jazz Pharmaceuticals and its management
team have the ability to execute on exceptional
product opportunities in important pharmaceutical
markets. Moreover, this team has all the critical
attributes and the track record in the pharmaceutical
industry to build a great company with sound,
long-term growth potential and sustainability."
"From the company's inception, what has
truly excited us about this investment opportunity
is that Jazz Pharmaceuticals has a highly experienced
team that has demonstrated the ability to work
with discipline, speed and intelligence in identifying
exciting products and in-licensing opportunities
and validating new product concepts," added
Sam Colella, managing director of Versant Ventures.
"We have been delighted with the progress
and momentum of the Jazz Pharmaceuticals team
and strategy. We expect the company to respond
to patient needs and market opportunities with
a creative approach that will be unique in our
industry," said Jim Tananbaum, M.D., managing
director of Prospect Venture Partners.
About Jazz Pharmaceuticals
Jazz Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical company
formed in March 2003, is focused on helping
patients by meeting unmet medical needs in neurology
and psychiatry with important and innovative
therapeutic products. Jazz Pharmaceuticals is
aggressively building its product portfolio
through a combination of commercialization and
development activities. Based in Palo Alto,
California, the company is committed to working
closely with patients, patient advocacy groups
and healthcare professionals. For further information,
please visit www.jazzpharmaceuticals.com.
Contacts:
Matthew K. Fust,
Chief Financial Officer
for Jazz Pharmaceuticals,
+1-650-496-3777, or
mediainfo@jazzpharmaceuticals.com;
or
Karen L. Bergman
of BCC Partners,
+1-650-575-1509, or
kbergman@bccpartners.com,
for Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Back to Press Releases 2004
|