This Life Sciences Supplier Has Plunged 50% in a Year, but One Fund Bought Up $28 Million More in Stock
Key Points
Eversept Partners bought 2,252,202 shares of Avantor in the fourth quarter; the estimated trade size was $27.72 million based on quarterly average prices.
Meanwhile, the quarter-end stake value increased by $24.87 million, reflecting both share purchases and price movement.
Post-trade, Eversept Partners holds 3,176,644 Avantor shares valued at $36.40 million.
On February 17, 2026, Eversept Partners disclosed in a U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filing that it bought 2,252,202 shares of Avantor (NYSE:AVTR), an estimated $27.72 million trade based on quarterly average pricing.
What happened
According to a SEC filing dated February 17, 2026, Eversept Partners increased its position in Avantor by 2,252,202 shares in the fourth quarter of 2025. The estimated transaction value was $27.72 million, calculated using the average closing price over the quarter. The fund’s quarter-end holding was 3,176,644 shares, worth $36.40 million. The value of the stake rose by $24.87 million, a figure that includes both trading activity and stock price movement.
What else to know
- Eversept Partners’ buy brings Avantor to 1.83% of reported U.S. equity holdings, outside the fund’s top five positions
- Top holdings after the filing:
- NASDAQ: VERA: $155.58 million (8.7% of AUM)
- NYSE: GSK: $131.41 million (7.4% of AUM)
- NASDAQ: UTHR: $123.08 million (6.9% of AUM)
- NASDAQ: ABVX: $88.71 million (5.0% of AUM)
- NASDAQ: NTRA: $76.63 million (4.3% of AUM)
- As of Friday, AVTR shares were priced at $7.80; the stock is down 50% over the past year, well underperforming the S&P 500’s roughly 20% gain in the same period.
Company overview
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Price (as of Friday) | $7.80 |
| Market capitalization | $5.3 billion |
| Revenue (TTM) | $6.55 billion |
| Net income (TTM) | ($530.20 million) |
Company snapshot
- Avantor offers a broad portfolio of laboratory materials, consumables, equipment, and specialty procurement services for biopharma, healthcare, education, and advanced technology sectors.
- The firm generates revenue through the sale of high-purity chemicals, reagents, lab supplies, and value-added services such as onsite lab support and biopharmaceutical material development.
- It serves a global customer base including biopharmaceutical companies, healthcare providers, academic institutions, and industrial clients.
Avantor provides products and services for the life sciences, healthcare, and advanced technology industries. With a global footprint and a diverse product offering, the company supports complex research, development, and production workflows for its clients.
What this transaction means for investors
It’s been a difficult year for Avantor. The firm’s revenue fell 3% to $6.55 billion in 2025, down 3%, and in the latest earnings release, CEO Emmanuel Ligner emphasized the company's "Revival program," which includes efforts to optimize the firm's go-to-market strategy, upgrade its e-commerce channel, and relaunch its VWR brand. The firm reported a net loss of $530.2 million for the full year, compared to a profit of $711.5 million in 2024.
Within the broader portfolio, the position fits neatly alongside holdings in biotech and healthcare innovators like Vera Therapeutics, Ultragenyx, and GSK, suggesting a strategy focused on the broader life sciences ecosystem rather than a single niche.
Ultimately, for long-term investors, the key question is execution. If Avantor’s “Revival” program succeeds, and the firm stabilizes growth and restores margins, today’s depressed valuation could look very different a few years from now. It seems that might be what Eversept is betting on.
Jonathan Ponciano has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends United Therapeutics. The Motley Fool recommends GSK. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.