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Blue like an Orange Sustainable Capital Provides BRL72m in Mezzanine Financing to Brazil’s InvestFarma

23 February 2022

(Blue like an Orange Sustainable Capital)

Blue like an Orange Sustainable Capital has closed a mezzanine financing to InvestFarma (“Company”), one of the largest pharmaceutical retail chains in Brazil focused on the middle to lower income population. Founded in 2018 by Stratus, a Brazilian private equity firm, the Company has pursued a consolidation strategy through the acquisition of small and medium-sized pharmacy chains in the state of São Paulo. As of 2021, the Company had 95 drugstores underthe brands of Poupafarma, Drogaria Marcelo, and Drogaria Estação, 2 distribution centers, and Farmadelivery, the 6th largest pharma e-commerce platform of the country.

InvestFarma’s business model is based on a “value for money” and “value for time” approach, which
includes a broad offering of generics, discounted branded drugs, a loyalty program, affordable personal care lines, and basic consumer products. The stores are located closer to residential or high traffic pedestrian areas, which provide easy access for those commuting to work or in neighborhoods with limited services nearby, besides creating opportunities for local employment and development. Given the Company’s multichannel sales strategy, customers can order at the store, online or by phone, pickup in person or opt for home delivery at their convenience in a simple and fast manner.

“InvestFarma provides healthcare products and services where and how it is needed with a positive
impact on local employment and development. We are very pleased with this new investment and look forward to working together with Stratus in the next phase of the company”, mentioned Cristina
Penteado, Managing Director and Head of Brazil of Blue like an Orange Sustainable Capital.

The majority of InvestFarma’s stores are part of Farmácia Popular, a federal program that aimsto increase access to essential medicines at lower prices to the Brazilian population. Additionally, InvestFarma offers basic health services at the stores, such as vaccination, blood pressure measurement, health guide orientation, capillary blood glucose testing, and, more recently, COVID 19 testing, playing an important role during the pandemic, especially in areas with limited supply of tests for the local population.

“The financing from Blue like an Orange is an important milestone for the development of InvestFarma’s platform, providing solid ground for the launch of a second phase, which will be focused on efficiency to serve a broad universe of clients”, commented Guilherme Marto, InvestFarma’s chairman.

With the financing, InvestFarma aims to continue growing its pharmacy operations by increasing its store footprint, enhancing its e-commerce sales, expanding its product mix, and offering quality affordable drugs, generics and branded, personal care items and basic health care services.

The expected development outcome supports several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including but not limited to SDG 3 (Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages) and SDG 1 (End poverty in all its forms everywhere).