Successful Launch of Merieux Participations 3, The New Growth Capital Fund of Merieux Equity Partners

PR75435

LYON, France, September 27, 2018 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

Merieux Equity Partners, a management company created by Merieux Developpement,

announces the first closing of its third generation fund, Merieux

Participations 3, focusing on growth capital within the healthcare and

nutrition sectors.

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Dedicated to partnering with fast-growing companies in the health and nutrition

sectors, Merieux Participations 3 was launched in July 2018 with a fundraising

goal of more than 300 million euros. Only two months after the commercial

authorization by the French Market Authorities (AMF), a first closing has been

completed with an initial amount of 200 million euros (or 235 million USD). In

addition to the Mérieux family holding, this 3rd generation fund is backed by

renown investors, such as the Dassault Holding (GIMD), Credit Agricole

Centre-Est, Credit Agricole Assurances and Compagnie Financiere La

Luxembourgeoise, representing more than 60% of the commitments to-date.

Merieux Participations 3 will focus on growth equity investments, in support of

small- to mid-cap companies operating within the healthcare and nutrition

sectors and located in Western Europe or North America. With a typical ticket

size ranging from 20 to 40 million euros per company, this new fund will

operate MBO / LBO transactions as well as traditional growth equity deals,

targeting fast growing companies with a clear potential to become market

leaders at a global level.

Merieux Equity Partners has already completed its first majority investment

into STIplastics Healthcaring. The investment will allow this fast-growing

company, located near Grenoble (France) and specialized in the development and

manufacturing of plastic solutions for laboratories within the pharmacy and

nutrition sectors, to strengthen its industrial platform and broaden its

product offering over the coming years.

Through Merieux Participations 3, Merieux Equity Partners also intends to

broaden its scope of activity into the nutrition sector. The firm recently took

a minority equity position in Biobest, a Belgian company commercializing a

range of integrated biological control solutions for the pollination and

natural crop protection market. Mérieux Equity Partners will help Biobest

become the global leader in this rapidly growing market segment.

"We are confident about the success of our investment platform, in response of

the growing demand from entrepreneurs for stronger and more specialized

investors, offering tailor-made financing solutions." said François Valencony,

CEO of Merieux Equity Partners. "The commitment of prestigious investors to

Merieux Participations 3, alongside the Merieux family, reflects the growing

interest in our value proposition, both entrepreneurial and sector-specific,

supported by a unique team."

"Investing in tomorrow's medicine and supporting emerging market leaders

internationally, are priorities for Institut Merieux and a genuine component of

the entrepreneurial approach of our family". said Alexandre Merieux, President

of Merieux Developpement. Alongside the creation of Merieux Equity Partners and

with the support of family holdings that share our long-term vision, we intend

to strengthen our action in areas with major public health challenges."

About Merieux Equity Partners - http://www.merieux-partners.com

About Merieux Développement - http://www.merieux-developpement.com

Contact communication - Merieux Equity Partners S.A.S.

EUROPE: Aurelie BOULLERAY - communication@merieux-partners.com

NORTH AMERICA: Alix SIPAHI - communication@merieux-partners.com

SOURCE: Merieux Equity Partners