The Carlyle Group Agrees to Acquire Sunsho Pharmaceutical, a Contract Manufacturer in the Health & Nutrition Industry in Japan

The Carlyle Group Agrees to Acquire Sunsho Pharmaceutical, a Contract Manufacturer in the Health & Nutrition Industry in Japan

 Carlyle's global reach and industry expertise support the company's growth

Tokyo, Japan – Global alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ:CG) (Japan co-representatives: Tamotsu Adachi/Kazuhiro Yamada; headquarters: Washington D.C.; hereinafter Carlyle) today announced that it has agreed to acquire 100% stake in Sunsho Pharmaceutical, a company specializing in contract manufacturing of health & nutrition (H&N) and pharmaceutical products. The transaction is expected to close in August 2014. Further details of the transaction were not disclosed.

Headquartered in Shizuoka, Sunsho Pharmaceutical is one of the largest H&N contract manufacturers in Japan, experiencing rapid growth driven by its competitive advantage in R&D and manufacturing capabilities. Sunsho Pharmaceutical has five factories in Shizuoka prefecture with fully integrated production lines and special manufacturing technology that offers contract manufacturing and packaging services of soft capsules, seamless capsules and other dosage forms for H&N and pharmaceutical use.

Following the completion of the transaction, Takashi Kondo, the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Sunsho Pharmaceutical, will retire and Kazuhiro Shijo, President of Sunsho Pharmaceutical, will continue to lead the company with the current management team.

Mr. Shijo said, "As a contract manufacturer specializing in H&N and pharmaceutical products, Sunsho Pharmaceutical has focused on the absolute quality of its products. Since its establishment in 1993, Sunsho Pharmaceutical has strived to provide high-quality, trusted products for its consumers by ensuring a stable supply and applying the state-of-the-art contract manufacturing technology. Supported by Carlyle's global resources and industry expertise, we will continue to accelerate the company's growth by enhancing customer solution offering capability, implementing growth strategies and focusing on operational improvement.  

Mr. Kondo said, "Sunsho Pharmaceutical's goal is to become a global service provider contributing to human health with its dosage formulation technology and top-quality products. With Carlyle's support, Sunsho Pharmaceutical will expedite the implementation of our growth strategies, including operating infrastructure enhancement in areas such as R&D, manufacturing, sales and marketing, and further expanding our H&N and pharmaceutical businesses both domestically and internationally."

Takaomi Tomioka, Managing Director at The Carlyle Group, said, "Sunsho Pharmaceutical has established a solid position as a contract manufacturer in the steadily growing H&N market in Japan.  With its competitive edge in R&D and manufacturing capabilities, the company is poised for continued growth. We were impressed by Sunsho Pharmaceutical's competitive positioning and growth potential, and have a strong appreciation of its management philosophy and culture. We look forward to partnering with Sunsho Pharmaceutical's talented management team, and to leveraging our global network and deep experience in the consumer and healthcare industries to support Sunsho Pharmaceutical's business expansion and the further development of the H&N market in Japan."

Equity for the transaction will come from Carlyle Japan Partners III. Carlyle was one of the first global private equity firms to invest in Japan beginning in 2000.

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About The Carlyle Group
The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ: CG) is a global alternative asset manager with approximately $199 billion of assets under management across 120 funds and 133 fund of funds vehicles as of March 31, 2014. Carlyle's purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, many of whom are public pensions. Carlyle invests across four segments – Corporate Private Equity, Real Assets, Global Market Strategies and Solutions – in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, North America and South America. Carlyle has expertise in various industries, including: consumer & retail, healthcare, aerospace, defense & government services, energy, financial services, industrial, real estate, technology & business services, telecommunications & media and transportation. The Carlyle Group employs more than 1,600 people in 38 offices across six continents.

Web: www.carlyle.com
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About Sunsho Pharmaceutical
Sunsho Pharmaceutical is a company specializing in contract manufacturing of H&N and pharmaceutical products, being a leading player of the H&N market in Japan. Sunsho Pharmaceutical has full–line factories in Shizuoka and offers contract manufacturing and packaging of soft capsules, seamless capsules, and other dosage forms for H&N and pharmaceutical use. In addition to its manufacturing capability and technology, Sunsho Pharmaceutical has top-class ability in R&D technology, sales force and quality control system. The company has various certificates including GMP, HACCP, and JAS. The company was founded in 1993 and currently employs 639 individuals. http://www.sunsho.co.jp/

Contact:

Public relations agent: Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide (Japan) K.K.
Contact persons: Kozo Uchida
Tel: 03 (5793) 2380
E-mail: [email protected]

Media contacts:

The Carlyle Group
Tammy Li                                                   
Phone: +852 2878 5236                            
[email protected]                                

Brian Zhou
Phone: +86 10 57067070
[email protected]

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