Eurofins Scientific has signed an exclusive agreement with Ekkio Capital to acquire the Amatsigroup for a price of approximately EUR 130m plus some residual debt at closing. The contemplated transaction is expected to be completed over the next few months, subject to customary closing conditions including employees' representatives' information and consultation.
Amatsigroup is an international contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) providing preclinical and clinical phase services for the development of human and veterinary drugs. Founded in 2010 by Ekkio Capital, it was formed through the merger of four French companies (Avogadro, Amatsi, DBI and Avepharm) bringing complementary expertise and a cumulative experience in the field of over 30 years. Its expansion continued in 2015 with the acquisition of Pierre Fabre's pharmaceutical analysis laboratory in Saint-Augustin, France. In 2016, the group expanded its activity through the acquisition of QBiologicals, a Belgian company specialized in bioprocess development & biomanufacturing. In early 2017, Amatsigroup acquired Disposable Lab and even more recently signed an exclusive agreement to acquire two sites in France from Bertin Pharma with a strong expertise in galenic formulation and development. This acquisition is expected to be closed during the summer.
The company employs about 450 staff and plans to generate over EUR 60m revenues in 2017 on a pro forma basis, with an EBITDA margin already above Eurofins overall group target.
Amatsigroup has eight sites in France (including the sites acquired from Bertin Pharma), two sites in Belgium and one site in the USA. The company is organized in five business units and delivers a differentiated specialist offer focused on biotechnology companies and mid-size pharma companies, supported by strong technical capabilities and project management over the whole development cycle. Given its unique positioning as a high value added multi-specialist drug development services provider, the company is well-positioned to leverage and strengthen its footprint in the CDMO industry.
Should the contemplated transaction come to closing, the addition of Amatsigroup to the Eurofins network would strengthen the Group's biopharma product testing biopharmaceutical service offering, and strengthen its growing presence in the field of formulation, development and manufacturing of new drugs, following the acquisition of Alphora in Canada earlier this year.