Carlyle strikes $3.8bn deal for Baxter’s kidney care segment

Global investment firm Carlyle has agreed to acquire US medtech company Baxter International’s kidney care segment — to be named Vantive — for $3.8bn, concluding talks initially reported by Reuters and the Wall Street Journal last month.

The transaction is expected to close in late 2024 or early 2025. Baxter, which is based in Deerfield, Illinois, will receive approximately $3.5bn in cash. Its net after-tax proceeds currently estimated to be approximately $3bn and will go towards reducing Baxter’s debt.

Carlyle’s investment is being made in partnership with Atmas Health, a healthcare investment platform led by Kieran Gallahue, Jim Hinrichs and Jim Prutow. Gallahue will join Vantive as chairman.

Vantive offers products and services for peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis and organ support therapies, including continuous renal replacement therapy. The business employs more than 23,000 globally and had revenues of $4.5bn last year.

José E Almeida, chair, president and chief executive officer at Baxter, commented: “Today’s announcement represents another critical step forward in the strategic transformation process we announced in early 2023. As a result of this proposed transaction, Baxter will emerge a more focused and more efficient company, better positioned to redefine healthcare delivery and advance innovation that benefits patients, customers and shareholders.”