CERBA HEALTHCARE
Acquired by
EQT PARTNERS
CERBA HEALTHCARE acquired by EQT PARTNERS
Target
CERBA HEALTHCARE
Acquirer
EQT PARTNERS
Context
EQT entered into exclusive negotiations to acquire Cerba HealthCare from Partners Group. The transaction values the group at EUR4.5 billion, significantly higher than initial market estimates (EUR3bn). PSP Investments, a shareholder for four years, realized a partial cash-out but reinvested to remain a key minority partner alongside EQT and the 400 biologist-managers. The deal was financed with a massive EUR2.5 billion Senior Debt package (Term Loan B).
CERBA HEALTHCARE, which reported an EBITDA margin of LOGIN in 2020, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of LOGIN, representing a LOGIN discount to the 12.8x average currently observed in the Healthcare & Pharma sector.
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Target
Cerba HealthCare is a leading international network of clinical pathology laboratories. Headquartered in France, it operates across Europe and Africa. The group serves patients, physicians, and pharmaceutical companies (via its clinical trial division). It relies on a network of 400 biologists and managers who are also shareholders.
Ent. Value
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Multiples Analysis
EV / Revenue
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EV / EBITDA
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EV / EBIT
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Historical Financials (EUR)
Other operations with CERBA HEALTHCARE
| Date | Acquirer | Target | Country | Sector | Deal Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/2023 | CERBA HEALTHCARE | CIRION BIOPHARMA RESEARCH | CANADA | CRO / Clinical Trials | Cerba HealthCare acquired the Canadian CRO Cirion BioPharma Research to integrate it into its global clinical trial business unit, Cerba Research. This move establishes a critical operational hub in North America, allowing the group to offer seamless cross-continental support for drug development programs. The transaction followed Cerba's previous major international acquisitions of Lifebrain (Italy) and Viroclinics-DDL (Netherlands), furthering the global expansion strategy initiated under EQT's majority ownership since 2021. |
| 11/2021 | CERBA HEALTHCARE | LABEXA | FRANCE | Labs (Biology) | Cerba HealthCare acquired Labexa following a competitive auction process managed by Oddo BHF, beating out its main rival Biogroup. The acquisition allows Cerba to significantly strengthen its footprint in the French "Nouvelle-Aquitaine" region. The transaction followed Cerba's massive EUR1.2 billion acquisition of Lifebrain in Italy and was finalized shortly after Cerba's own LBO with EQT. The target's biologist-partners opted for an industrial exit to join a major laboratory network. |
| 07/2021 | CERBA HEALTHCARE | LIFEBRAIN | ITALY | Labs (Biology) | Cerba HealthCare won a highly competitive auction process managed by Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan to acquire Lifebrain from Investindustrial. The transaction marks Cerba's entry as a major player in the Italian market, significantly expanding its European footprint. The acquisition follows a period of rapid growth for the target, which doubled its profitability between 2019 and 2021, partly driven by a high volume of pandemic-related testing. The deal received backing from Cerba's new majority shareholder, EQT, alongside long-term partners. |
| 01/2017 | PARTNERS GROUP / PSP INVESTMENTS | CERBA HEALTHCARE | FRANCE | Labs (Biology) | Partners Group and Canadian pension fund PSP entered exclusive negotiations to acquire Cerba from PAI Partners. The consortium beat out CVC and Apax, but most notably rejected a higher offer (>EUR2bn) from industrial player Cinven (owner of Synlab/Labco). Management preferred the financial sponsors to avoid massive cost synergies and restructuring. |
| 01/2015 | CERBA HEALTHCARE | NOVESCIA | FRANCE | Labs (Biology) | Cerba acquired 100% of Novescia. The seller was a complex consortium managed by Ekkio Capital, including financial investors Cobepa and Socadif, as well as biologist shareholders. This acquisition allowed Cerba to reach critical mass in the routine segment, complementing its leadership in specialty testing. |
| 06/2010 | PAI PARTNERS | CERBA HEALTHCARE | FRANCE | Labs (Biology) | PAI Partners acquired a majority stake in Cerba HealthCare, marking the group's fourth LBO (LBO IV). The transaction was structured to support an aggressive external growth strategy. The acquisition was originally financed through a combination of Senior Loans and Mezzanine debt (which were later refinanced via a High Yield bond issuance in 2013). Under PAI's tenure, the group's revenue would eventually triple. |
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