PR93108

DURHAM, N.C. and BRUSSELS, Belgium and LONDON, Nov. 17, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

  -- Investment Will Provide BioAgilytix with Additional Resources to Invest

     in Core Business and Drive Growth

BioAgilytix, a leading global contract research organization (CRO), today

announced an agreement to be further capitalized by Cinven, a leading

international private investment firm focused on building world-class global

companies. Cinven will acquire a majority stake in BioAgilytix while current

majority investor Cobepa, S.A., a Brussels-based private investment firm, will

remain a significant minority investor in the Company.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1690414/BioAgilytix_Cinven_Logo.jpg

Cobepa and GHO Capital, a leading specialist investor in global healthcare,

acquired BioAgilytix in November of 2018 and have built the company into a

recognized global leader in the contract research organization market with a

focus on large molecule bioanalytical testing. The investment by Cinven will

provide BioAgilytix with increased funding and resources to meet the growing

demand for its high-quality bioanalytical services, driven by its strong

scientific reputation and leading expertise in supporting the development and

commercialization of novel therapeutics.

"Our focus on providing customers with industry leading scientific expertise

coupled with superior service across the pharmaceutical development pathway has

been our formula for success," said Jim Datin, President and CEO of

BioAgilytix. "As we move into our next chapter of our evolution, Cinven will

provide the additional resources that will empower us to expand not only our

geographical reach but will also enable us to invest further in our talent and

facilities around the globe to meet the ever-growing needs of our customers."

Peter Connolly, Managing Director and Head of North America of Cobepa said, "We

are excited to continue working with Jim and the entire BioAgilytix management

team and are thrilled to welcome Cinven as a new investor in the Company. The

success of BioAgilytix is driven by its unwavering focus on both high-quality

science and a customer-first orientation. These are exactly the hallmarks we

seek in our investments. We look forward to partnering with Cinven and

management for the next chapter of the Company's growth."

Mike Mortimer, Managing Partner at GHO Capital said, "BioAgilytix is now a

leading innovator among the global CROs. Throughout our partnership, Jim and

his team have had a phenomenal impact to drive international growth, invest

significantly in operational capacity and expand the platform's capabilities to

provide more and better solutions to customers. With a science and quality led,

customer-centric approach, we have every confidence they will continue to

deliver breakthrough solutions to global biopharma, supporting the safe &

effective discovery and development of new biologic drugs to improve patient

outcomes for years to come."

Alex Leslie, Partner, Healthcare and Head of US said, "Cinven is delighted to

be making this investment into BioAgilytix. The organization has genuine

expertise and differentiated capabilities in the attractive bioanalytical

testing market, providing excellent service to numerous pharma and biotech

customers. Cinven plans to support the highly skilled management and scientific

leadership teams to invest in capacity and capabilities to capture the

compelling growth opportunity in the market, ultimately supporting the delivery

of new therapies for patients globally. We look forward to working with the

entire BioAgilytix team to help them to realise the full potential in the

business."

BofA Securities served as lead financial advisor to BioAgilytix, and William

Blair and Lazard served as co-advisors. White & Case served as legal advisor

and Deloitte LLP as accounting and tax advisor to BioAgilytix. Ropes & Gray

acted as legal advisor to GHO with Deloitte LLP serving as tax advisor.

The transaction is expected to close after customary closing conditions and

regulatory approvals.

About BioAgilytix

BioAgilytix is a leading global contract research organization focused on

supporting pharmaceutical and biotech partners in all phases of drug

development. With laboratory locations in North Carolina's Research Triangle

Park; Cambridge, Massachusetts; San Diego, California; Melbourne and Brisbane,

Australia and Hamburg, Germany, BioAgilytix provides PK, immunogenicity,

biomarkers, and cell-based assay services supporting the development and

release testing of therapeutics across a number of industries and disease

states.

BioAgilytix offers assay development, validation, and sample analysis under

non-GLP, GLP, and GCP, as well as GMP quality control testing (i.e., product

release testing, stability testing, etc.) BioAgilytix also offers diagnostic

testing services at its CLIA-certified, CAP-accredited Boston laboratory.

BioAgilytix's team of highly experienced scientific and QA professionals

ensures high-quality science, data integrity and regulatory compliance through

all phases of clinical development. BioAgilytix is a trusted partner to many

top global pharmaceutical and biotech companies. For more information, visit

www.bioagilytix.com.

About Cinven

Cinven is a leading international private equity firm focused on building

world-class global companies. Its funds invest in six key sectors: Business

Services, Consumer, Financial Services, Healthcare, Industrials and Technology,

Media and Telecommunications (TMT). Cinven has offices in London, Frankfurt,

Paris, Milan, Madrid, New York, Guernsey and Luxembourg.

Cinven takes a responsible approach towards its portfolio companies, their

employees, suppliers, local communities, the environment and society.

Cinven Capital Management (V) General Partner Limited, Cinven Capital

Management (VI) General Partner Limited, Cinven Capital Management (VII)

General Partner Limited and Cinven Capital Management (SFF) General Partner

Limited are each authorised and regulated by the Guernsey Financial Services

Commission, and Cinven Limited, the adviser to the Cinven Funds, is authorised

and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

In this press release 'Cinven' means, depending on the context, any of or

collectively, Cinven Holdings Guernsey Limited, Cinven Partnership LLP, Cinven

(LuxCo1) S. a.r.l., and their respective Associates (as defined in the

Companies Act 2006) and/or funds managed or advised by any of the foregoing.

For additional information on Cinven please visit www.cinven.com and

www.linkedin.com/company/cinven/.

About Cobepa

Based in Brussels, New York, and Munich, Cobepa is a privately-held investment

company backed by European families. Cobepa manages a diversified portfolio of

private equity investments valued at approximately $4 billion. Cobepa invests

in leading companies with superior business models, sustainable market

positions and leading management teams. Cobepa North America is primarily

focused on investments in the healthcare, business services, and tech-enabled

services sectors as well as situations which might benefit from a nimble

investment partner. For more information, visit www.cobepa.com.

About GHO Capital

Global Healthcare Opportunities, or GHO Capital Partners LLP, is a leading

specialist healthcare investment advisor based in London. We apply global

capabilities and perspectives to unlock high growth healthcare opportunities,

targeting Pan-European and transatlantic internationalization to build market

leading businesses of strategic global value. Our proven investment track

record reflects the unrivalled depth of our industry expertise and network. We

partner with strong management teams to generate long-term sustainable value,

improving the efficiency of healthcare delivery to enable better, faster, more

accessible healthcare. For further information, please visit www.ghocapital.com

Media Contact:

Mark Bethers

BioAgilytix

919-381-6097

mark.bethers@bioagilytix.com

Source - BioAgilytix