Carlyle Preps Qualicorp Exit

Grupo Qualicorp, the Brazilian health plan vendor controlled by PE firm Carlyle Group, is planning an IPO, according to regulatory documents. It does not indicate the timing or the size of the operation. The sale is to include primary and secondary shares owned by Carlyle, which holds a 69% stake in the company, and Jose Seripieri Filho, who owns 31%. Qualicorp, founded in 1997, recorded Ebitda of BRL127.5m in 2010, up from BRL56.4m in 2009. Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Bradesco, Credit Suisse and Goldman Sachs are managing the sale. The announcement comes the same day as Brazilian drugstore operator Brazil Pharma’s IPO announcement, in what is shaping up to be an active year for health IPOs. Pharmacies Drogaria Sao Paulo and Pague Menos are also rumored to seek a listing this year.