Invest in what you know best: LightBay backs Femwell, SFW recaps lab instrumentation business

The Wire

Jan. 13 2021

SFW Capital bets on stability testing for vaccines and drug development, LightBay's senior members get back into women's health

It’s hump day, readers. Here’s what’s happening today:

SFW Capital has made a controlling investment in Caron Products & Services, whose laboratory equipment is used in stability testing for everything from complex vaccines (including covid-19 vaccines) to more commonly used pharmaceutical products.

“Whether it’s your Tylenol or cell and gene therapy – each one of those products needs to have a shelf life [so] that they are actually going to be active when they are used. How do you find out? You find out by using one of Caron’s products,” Ahmad Sheikh, partner at Rye, New York’s SFW, told PE Hub in an interview. Read more on PE Hub.

New(ish) shop to watch: LightBay Capital may be new to the scene, but the seasoned investors leading the Los Angeles firm are finding opportunity to deploy capital in segments proven successful in a prior lifetime. The more than three-year-old private equity firm – founded by two former partners of Ares Management private equity – closed an investment in Femwell Group Health, a physician-led women’s healthcare business based in Miami, a source with knowledge of the deal told PE Hub. Check out my full report on PE Hub.

That's it for today. As always, hit me up with any comments, tips or just to say hello!

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That's it for today. Have a great week, everyone, and as always, feel free to shoot me an email with tips, feedback or just about anything at Karishma.v@peimedia.com.

Note to Readers: It's that time of year ... for the 21st time, the editors of PE Hub and Buyouts honor exceptional buyouts with our Deal of the Year Awards.

Winners are chosen in seven categories: Deal of the Year, Large-Market Deal of the Year, Middle-Market Deal of the Year, Small-Market Deal of the Year, Turnaround of the Year, International Deal of the Year, and Secondaries Deal of the Year.

Go here for more information and to read about rules and methodology. Also check out past winners. Last year, New Mountain took the crown with its exit of Equian.

If you have additional questions, email Private Equity Editor Chris Witkowsky at cwitkowsky@buyoutsinsider.com.

Also of note (may require subscriptions)

PE coffers: Ares Management is targeting $4 billion for its second junior capital direct lending fund, with the latest commitment coming from School Employees’ Retirement System of Ohio. For more detail, check out Buyouts full report.