European private equity firm Cinven has agreed to acquire the UK-based speciality pharmaceutical company Mercury Pharma for an enterprise value of £465 M (US$730 M) from private equity trust HgCapital. Mercury markets niche prescription pharmaceutical products mainly in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands and generated sales in excess of £100 M (US$160 M) in 2011. In order to broaden the geographical reach of the company, Cinven has already identified potential acquisition opportunities.