Exactech, a developer and producer of orthopedic implant devices and surgical instrumentation for extremities and large joints, announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement under which TPG Capital, the global private equity platform of alternative asset firm TPG, will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Exactech common stock. Exactech’s board of directors approved the agreement which provides for the payment of $42.00 per share in cash to all holders of Exactech common stock other than certain management stockholders who have agreed to exchange a portion of their shares for new equity securities in the transaction. Exactech founders Dr. Bill Petty and Betty Petty and CEO David Petty have agreed with TPG to vote all of their shares in favor of the merger and to exchange a significant portion of their shares for new shares in the parent entity immediately following the merger. Such share exchange will be made at the same $42.00 value being paid in cash to Exactech’s shareholders. The transaction values Exactech at $625 million and the cash purchase price represents a premium of approximately 31 percent over Exactech’s closing stock price on October 20, 2017.
 
Upon completion of the transaction, Exactech will be a privately-held company headquartered in Gainesville, Florida, and Exactech’s common shares will no longer be listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2018, subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by Exactech’s shareholders and termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976.
“We believe that this agreement offers Exactech shareholders an opportunity to realize the company’s tremendous growth and capture the value that’s been created since going public 21 years ago, at a significant premium to the current share price,” said Jim Binch, Exactech’s lead independent director.
 
Exactech CEO David Petty added, “This agreement provides maximum value for our shareholders, who have shared our vision and supported our growth over the past two decades.”
 
Exactech was founded in 1985 by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Bill Petty, his wife Betty and biomedical engineer Gary Miller, Ph.D., with the purpose of improving the quality of care for patients suffering from joint injury or disease, such as arthritis. The company employs more than 700 individuals including engineers, researchers, manufacturing professionals, and sales representatives, and distributes its products to more than 35 countries around the world.
 
“As long-term healthcare investors, we aim to identify and partner with strong companies that are in growing, attractive sectors,” said Todd Sisitsky, managing partner at TPG Capital. “With their strong commitment to patients and surgeons and a comprehensive product portfolio, Exactech has strategically built a platform poised for significant growth. We are thrilled to partner with CEO David Petty, the company founders, the Exactech management team and TPG Capital advisors Jeff Binder and Dan Hann to further realize Exactech’s exciting potential.”
 
"The basis of our investment thesis is that there are outstanding opportunities for nimble, innovative and responsive companies to invest in growth and compete with the larger competitors in the orthopedic industry,” said Jeff Binder, senior advisor to TPG Capital. “I look forward to working with management to fully realize the potential of a company for which I have always had great respect."
 
Over the past 10 years, TPG Capital has invested more than $8 billion in healthcare. Taking a growth-oriented approach to its partnerships, the platform has invested in companies across the entire healthcare continuum, including medical devices companies such as Biomet, Fenwal, Beaver-Visitec International and Immucor; global healthcare providers such as Surgical Care Affiliates, Healthscope and Parkway; pharmaceutical companies such as Par Pharmaceutical and Adare; and healthcare IT companies such as QuintilesIMS and Mediware.