2016/01/05

BDA advises founder on sale of diagnostic biotech company CHROMagar SAS

has been acquired by a Japanese chemicals & life science company

2016

BDA Partners is pleased to announce that the French company CHROMagar SAS, the pioneer in innovative chromogenic culture media solutions for diagnostic applications, has been sold to a Japanese chemicals company. BDA acted as the exclusive financial advisor to CHROMagar founder and shareholder, Dr. Alain Rambach. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Dr. Alain Rambach, an inventor and pioneer since 1979 in chromogenic media technology, founded CHROMagar in 1993 to provide innovative chromogenic media solutions to improve and simplify traditional culture techniques. Established in Paris, not far from the famous Pasteur Institute where Dr. Rambach began his research career, CHROMagar is at the cutting edge of a diagnostic field that developed out of Dr. Rambach’s research in the late 1970s.

The acquisition of CHROMagar will give the buyer access to unique and innovative techniques to detect bacteria. The buyer has existing activities and knowledge in the field of chromogenic media, a strategic plan to expand its biotech business, and the capabilities to support CHROMagar’s continued growth.

Andrew Huntley, Senior Managing Director at BDA, said, “We are delighted to have helped CHROMagar close this successful transaction. It’s another example of the ongoing trend for Japanese corporates to make strategic acquisitions in Europe. Medical technology is a sector where we are experiencing significant appetite for cross-border transactions involving Japanese and other Asian parties.”

About CHROMagar

CHROMagar supplies the widest range of chromogenic culture media available, covering applications in clinical bacteriology, industrial microbiology, and quality control for food and beverage industries, water testing and environmental monitoring. These media allow for a quicker and simpler detection of key clinical and food-borne pathogens. www.chromagar.com

About BDA

BDA Partners is a leader in cross-border investment banking involving Asia. BDA advises on M&A, capital raising, and restructuring. BDA has been consistently owned and managed by the same team since 1996. BDA has a track record of providing independent advice to blue-chip corporate and financial sponsor clients from North America, Europe, and Asia. BDA is headquartered in New York with offices in London, Dubai, Mumbai, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, and Tokyo. BDA was named M&A Advisory Firm of the Year at The ACG Champions Awards in 2015. BDA formed a partnership with William Blair & Company in 2011. www.bdapartners.com

BDA carries out its US securities business through BDA Advisors Inc, a broker-dealer registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and a member of FINRA and SIPC. BDA’s UK subsidiary is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.