Mid-Atlantic Biopharma Gets a Dose of Private Equity

Sentinel Capital Partners, Ancor Capital Partners and Yukon Capital have acquired WellSpring Pharmaceutical. The company manufactures and markets specialty prescription and over-the-counter products. Additionally, it also offers contract manufacturing. J. Randall Keene, managing partner at Ancor will serve as WellSpring's CEO.

Since the beginning of 2008, PE investors have invested in 81 companies primarily involved in the Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology industry, according to the PitchBook Platform. With 17 deals completed so far this year in the industry, 2011 has surpassed 2010's final deal count of 15. Pharmaceutical & Biotechnology companies headquartered in the Mid-Atlantic region are attracting an increased amount of attention from PE investors this year, relative to other U.S. regions. The region has accounted for 41% of the industry's deals in 2011 to date, compared to a 13% share last year.