mynth
09/2016

POLYPLUS acquired by ARCHIMED

FRANCE Life Sciences / Pharma & Biotech / R&D Biotech EV 10M - 30M EUR

Context

On September 19, 2016, ArchiMed completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Polyplus Transfection, a prominent player in the biologics delivery space. The transaction was executed as a proprietary deal, seamlessly completed outside of any formal auction process, and was heavily supported by the existing management team. This strategic move represents a textbook platform investment for the private equity firm, executed through its Med 1 fund, capitalizing on their deep sector expertise. The strategic rationale behind this transaction is deeply rooted in the strong secular growth currently observed across biologics-based therapeutics and cell therapies. By acquiring this niche champion, the firm aims to leverage its extensive global healthcare network to accelerate international expansion and push proprietary product development into a higher gear. The deal is expected to be highly value-accretive, combining vast financial resources and operational capabilities with specialized proprietary transfection technology. Market implications are substantial, signaling increased sector consolidation within the highly fragmented life sciences supply chain and highlighting the premium placed on specialized reagent manufacturers.

POLYPLUS, which reported an EBITDA margin of LOGIN in 2015, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of LOGIN, representing a LOGIN to the average currently observed in the Healthcare & Pharma sector (14.8x).

Note that this data is based on contribution from our growing community, composed of M&A and Private Equity professionals, and has been verified by our team to ensure its accuracy.

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Target

Polyplus is a France-based developer and manufacturer of advanced reagents utilized for transfection, specifically the transfer of nucleic acids into cells for research and therapeutic applications. Operating at the forefront of the highly specialized biotechnology supply market, the company provides mission-critical inputs for the rapidly expanding gene and cell therapy sectors, as well as for viral vector manufacturing. The company stands as a highly recognized specialist and a global leader in its niche, boasting a robust international footprint with 98% of its revenue generated outside of France, predominantly in North America and the Asia-Pacific region. Its operations are characterized by high recurring revenues driven by the consumable nature of its high-value-added reagents, which are heavily integrated into the long-term clinical and commercial production processes of its pharmaceutical clients. Polyplus presents an exceptional profile characterized by high barriers to entry and strong secular tailwinds, benefiting from the global surge in advanced therapies and critical research, including vaccine development. A distinctive edge lies in its proprietary formulations that ensure high transfection efficiency and scalability from research and development to commercial-grade manufacturing. The company has demonstrated a phenomenal growth trajectory, leveraging strong operational leverage to deliver outsized margin expansion.

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Historical Financials (EUR)

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Other operations with POLYPLUS

List of similar M&A transactions (Date, Acquirer, Target, Country, Sector, Deal Context)
DateAcquirerTargetCountrySectorDeal Context
04/2023SARTORIUSPOLYPLUSFranceLife Sciences

Sartorius Stedim Biotech has reached a definitive agreement to acquire one hundred percent of the share capital of Polyplus from private equity sponsors ArchiMed and Warburg Pincus. This landmark transaction is structured as a full buyout, effectively transferring ownership from financial sponsors to a strategic corporate acquirer. The operation is financially underpinned by a bridge loan facility secured by the acquirer's parent company through J.P. Morgan, which is expected to be ultimately refinanced via long-term financial instruments potentially incorporating an equity component

04/2020WARBURG PINCUSPOLYPLUSFranceLife Sciences

Warburg Pincus has acquired a 50% co-control stake in Polyplus from ArchiMed, executing a flagship LBO in the European mid-cap space. The transaction structure is characterized by a significant reinvestment from the incumbent sponsor, ArchiMed, ensuring that both private equity firms hold equal equity stakes and voting rights post-closing. To finance this acquisition, a bespoke unitranche debt facility was arranged and provided by Tikehau Capital and Goldman Sachs. The definitive agreement was signed following supreme execution certainty and intense competitive tension prior to the pandemic-induced market slowdown

REFERENCES

Valuation range: EV 10M - 30M EUR

Revenue range: 5M - 25M EUR

EBITDA range: 0M - 5M EUR

Note: This page provides detailed data on a private equity M&A transaction. Detailed and exact financial metrics for the acquisition of POLYPLUS by ARCHIMED are reserved for mynth community members. Register for free to unlock full data.

Authors: verified mynth contributor (mynth data is contributed by M&A / PE professionals and systematically cross-verified with private deal documents and official press releases).

Press release: view release

Target: polyplus

Acquirer: archimed