Spanish pharmaceutical firm Faes Farma has agreed to acquire 100 % of Italian ophthalmology specialist SIFI, creating a powerful combined ophthalmic division. The deal, expected to close in Q3 2025 pending regulatory approvals, strengthens Faes Farma’s rare-disease portfolio—especially with SIFI’s orphan drug Akantior for Acanthamoeba keratitis, already approved in the EU and UK and now advancing toward FDA registration.
What the merger delivers
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Expanded global reach: The integration of SIFI and Portugal’s Laboratorios Edol elevates ophthalmology to ~20 % of Faes Farma’s pro‑forma revenue, opening new markets across Italy, France, Romania, Turkey, Iberia, Mexico, and Latin America.
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Strengthened pipeline: Akantior’s development will continue into the U.S. and into new orphan indications like fungal keratitis, backed by positive preclinical results.
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Operational scale-up: SIFI’s Aci S. Antonio manufacturing plants will remain active, supporting contract production agreements and enhancing group efficiency.
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Synergies and growth: The acquisition boosts cross-selling, cost efficiency, and product diversification, all while maintaining Faes Farma’s dividend policy and financial discipline.
Strategic highlights
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Revenue boost: Deal valued at a double-digit multiple of 2024 EBITDA, with earn-outs up to €80 M linked to Akantior milestones.
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Leading orphan drug: Akantior is the world’s first approved therapy for Acanthamoeba keratitis, affecting ~3,000 patients annually.
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Long-term ambitions: The move aligns with Faes Farma’s goal to double revenue by 2030 and reach €1 billion in sales.