Contact:
`
`Elizabeth Likly
` Kovak-Likly Communications
`203-762-8833, elikly@klcpr.com
`
` FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
`
`UPSHER-SMITH’S PARENT COMPANY FORMS STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH
`SUMITOMO CORPORATION IN US GENERICS MARKET
`
`Maple Grove, MN – November 13, 2017 – Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC (Upsher-Smith) today
`reported that its parent company, Japan-based Sawai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Sawai) will sell a
`20 percent stake in its US subsidiary (Sawai America Inc.*) to Sumitomo Corporation of Americas
`(SCOA), a subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation, one of Japan’s leading general trading houses.
`Under the terms of the agreement, SCOA will acquire the stake for consideration of $211 million.
`The transaction is expected to close by the end of March 2018.
`Sumitomo Corporation is a major organizer of multinational projects, an expediter of
`ideas, an important international investor and financier, and a powerful force for distribution of
`products and global communications through a network of offices worldwide. Its core business
`units include Tubular Products, Environment and Infrastructure, Steel and Non-Ferrous Metals,
`Transportation and Construction Systems, Chemicals and Electronics, Media and IOT
`Applications, Real Estate, Mineral Resources and Energy, and Food.
`“Sumitomo’s investment in our US subsidiary and its management participation in Upsher-
`Smith will allow us to benefit from its experience, knowledge and network in the global business
`arena in areas such as sourcing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and product
`introduction,” said Mitsuo Sawai, President of Sawai. “By leveraging the unique strengths of the
`three companies, namely Sawai, Upsher-Smith and Sumitomo Corporation, we will continue to
`enhance our global presence, including the US business, to accelerate growth with the goal of
`becoming ‘a Globally Recognized Generics Company’.”
`Added Rusty Field, President and CEO of Upsher-Smith, “We are excited by the potential
`of this partnership and look forward to increasing our capacity for acquisition and discovering
`broader strategic growth opportunities.”
`
`About Upsher-Smith
`Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC is a trusted U.S. pharmaceutical company that has
`strived to deliver quality, affordable generic medications for nearly a century. In June 2017,
`Upsher-Smith was acquired by Sawai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a large publicly traded generics
`company in Japan that had been seeking entry into the U.S. market. Upsher-Smith and Sawai
`
`Page 1 of 2
`
`Biogen Exhibit 2001
`Sawai v. Biogen
`IPR2019-00789
`
`

`

`
`
`
`share a strikingly similar family history and hold many of the same cherished goals and values—
`most importantly, the philosophy of always putting patients first. Upsher-Smith will continue to do
`those things it does best, which is provide a consistent supply of quality, affordable medications
`and invest in its historically strong industry relationships. Ultimately, Upsher-Smith believes the
`acquisition by Sawai represents a tremendous opportunity to leverage each company for growth
`worldwide and embark together on an exciting new chapter in generics. For more information,
`visit www.upsher-smith.com.
`
`About Sawai
`
`Founded in 1929, Sawai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. has grown into one of the leading
`generics companies in Japan. Guided by its corporate philosophy, “Patients First,” Sawai markets
`more than 700 high-quality generic products and reliably delivers them to patients throughout
`Japan. In 2017, Sawai acquired US-based Upsher-Smith Laboratories, LLC marking its first step
`in overseas expansion to become a globally recognized generic pharmaceutical company. For
`more information, visit: https://www.sawai.co.jp/en/.
`
`About Sumitomo Corporation
`Sumitomo Corporation is a leading Fortune 500 global trading and business investment
`company with 107 locations in 65 countries and 22 locations in Japan. The entire SC Group
`consists of more than 800 companies and nearly 70,000 personnel. SC conducts commodity
`transactions in all industries utilizing worldwide networks, provides related customers with various
`financing, serves as an organizer and a coordinator for various projects, and invests in
`companies to promote greater growth potential. SC’s core business areas include Metal
`Products, Transportation and Construction Systems, Environment and Infrastructure, Media,
`Network, Lifestyle Related Goods and Services, Mineral Resources, Energy, and Chemical and
`Electronics. For more information, please visit: http://www.sumitomocorp.co.jp/english/.
`
`∗Sawai America, Inc. will be converted to Sawai America, LLC before SCOA acquires the equity assignment.
`
`
`
`
`
`
`# # #
`
`
`
`Page 2 of 2
`
`