Searchlight Pharma welcomes Emerillon Capital and Fonds de solidarité FTQ as new strategic financial partners

Montreal-based Searchlight Pharma continues its growth plan based on the acquisition, commercialization, and development of unique healthcare products

MONTRÉAL, Oct. 25, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Searchlight Pharma, a Canadian specialty pharmaceutical company committed to improving life-long human health and wellness, is pleased to welcome Emerillon Capital and Fonds de solidarité FTQ as new strategic financial partners. This brings together the decades of experience, breadth of network, and financial resources of two established investment funds with one of Canada's most dynamic and experienced specialty pharmaceutical teams. The partnership will further accelerate and fuel business development activity that will drive Searchlight's ongoing growth and therapeutic area expansion. 

Founded in 2015, Searchlight Pharma has rapidly evolved into one of the fastest growing specialty pharmaceutical companies in Canada, having concluded 9 transactions that have contributed 15 marketed products in Canada and additional pipeline candidates that are expected to launch over the next 12-18 months. Searchlight Pharma's flagship branded prescription products include Estragyn™ Vaginal Cream for the treatment of vulvovaginal atrophy and the family of Mona Lisa^® intrauterine devices (IUDs) which are indicated for non-hormonal contraception. With additional brands like AmnioSense^®blue, Cysta-Q^®, Femarelle^®, Oesclim^® TDS, Relactagel^® and Zestica™ Moisture, the breadth of Searchlight's product portfolio has also made it one of the most significant healthcare players addressing women's healthcare interests in Canada.  

"We are thrilled to partner with Emerillon Capital and the Fonds de solidarité FTQ to support Searchlight Pharma's ongoing growth," said Mark Nawacki, President and CEO of Searchlight Pharma. "Both of these investors have extensive experience in life sciences, and understand what is required for companies like Searchlight to succeed in today's competitive environment. Given the pace and scope of our business development activities, access to the deep financial resources and support of these two partners is extremely valuable and provides Searchlight Pharma with the means to achieve its growth ambitions."

For his part, Pierre Cantin, Senior Investment Director at CIC Capital, for Emerillon Capital added: "We are proudly partnering with Searchlight Pharma. The management team and co-founders, Mark Nawacki, Angel Rodriguez and Robert Vinson, have successfully worked together for more than 10 years. They have, along with their fellow co-founders and shareholders, an impressive track record in the specialty pharmaceutical industry. Since they started the company, they have acquired or in licensed quality products and demonstrated commercial success. Alongside this investment, we aim to dedicate our financial and network resources to enable the company to accelerate both its organic and acquisition growth."

"The life sciences industry is essential to Québec's economic growth," said Alain Denis, Senior Vice-President, Innovation, Fonds de solidarité FTQ. "That is why the Fonds de solidarité FTQ has prioritized this sector. In line with our strategic planning, this new investment in Searchlight demonstrates the Fonds' willingness to support Québec's life sciences entrepreneurs. In a short period of time, Searchlight Pharma has amassed an impressive portfolio of products. This is a testimony to the company's ability to bring the right products to market and improve people's lives."

About Searchlight Pharma Inc.
Searchlight Pharma Inc., headquartered in Montreal, aspires to become a leading Canadian-based specialty healthcare company through best-in class execution of the search, acquisition, commercialization, and focused development of innovative and unique specialty healthcare products that improve life-long human health and wellness. With a core focus on women's health, urology, and pediatrics, our team is committed to improving people's lives by bringing the right products to market. Follow us, learn more about what we do, and get to know our product portfolio at www.searchlightpharma.com.

About Emerillon Capital
Based in Montreal, Emerillon Capital is a venture capital fund investing and supporting companies with strong technological expertise, from the commercial start-up to the expansion stage, and positioned in promising sectors with strong potential for growth. Emerillon Capital invests primarily in Canada. Through its general partner's network, CIC Capital (a Canadian subsidiary of CM-CIC Investissement), Emerillon Capital offers its entrepreneurs perspectives towards Europe in order to help them carry out their development projects.

About the Fonds de solidarité FTQ
The Fonds de solidarité FTQ is a development capital investment fund that channels the savings of Quebecers into investments. As at May 31, 2017, the organization had $13.1 billion in net assets, and through its current portfolio of investments has helped create and protect 186,440 jobs. The Fonds is a partner in more than 2,700 companies and has 645,664 shareholder-savers.

SOURCE Searchlight Pharma

For media representatives only: Mark Nawacki, CPA, CA, President & CEO, Searchlight Pharma Inc., Phone: [phone], [email protected]; Pierre Cantin, Senior Investment Director, CIC Capital, Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected]; Patrick McQuilken, Senior Advisor, Media Relations and Communications, Fonds de solidarité FTQ, Phone: [phone], Mobile: [phone], Email: [email protected]