Monthly Archives: February 2018

Gimv acquires a majority stake in the capital of France Thermes in order to support the group’s ambitious growth plans

GIMV

Gimv[1], together with France Thermes’ Chairman and management team, announces the group’s acquisition from Normandie Capital Investissement, Initiative et Finance and Volney Développement. Gimv’s current investment as well as the commitments taken, are aimed at continuing the development of the company’s existing thermal resorts and supporting its active expansion and acquisition policy.

Since 2013, France Thermes has belonged to Normandie Capital Investissement, Initiative et Finance, Volney Développement and Sylvain Serafini, Chairman of the group since 2009. It owns, develops and operates two thermal resorts in Bagnoles de l’Orne (Normandy) and Châtel-Guyon (Auvergne). In 2017, France Thermes welcomed nearly 20,000 guests and generated turnover of nearly EUR 19 million.

The group is one of the French thermal spa sector’s most dynamic players, with widely recognised expertise in the development of thermal resorts. It is growing fast and aims to consolidate its market by capitalising on efficient operations, by focusing on high-quality facilities and care for medical and recreational thermal spa users, and on constructive collaboration with all the players in its ecosystem (healthcare professionals, local authorities, etc.).

The group currently operates the B’O Resort in Bagnoles de l’Orne (www.bo-thermes.com), a leading provider of thermal rheumatology and phlebology treatments in northwestern France. The site has been revitalised and remodelled as a thermal resort through a significant investment programme driven by Sylvain Serafini and his team, and now hosts nearly 13,000 guests a year. On the back of this first successful venture in Bagnoles de l’Orne, France Thermes is building a new thermal resort in Châtel-Guyon (www.thermesdechatel-guyon.fr) that will provide an offer unique in Europe focused on digestive health and gut flora, in addition to rheumatology.

“We chose Gimv for its perfect understanding of the challenges facing the health sector and its capacity as an investor to provide significant long-term resources. France Thermes’ thermal resort concept makes it perfectly placed to respond effectively to an ageing population and the increase in chronic diseases, as a result of which thermal spa treatments have become a core part of public health strategy, with patient care now fully reimbursable,” explained Sylvain Serafini, also CEO of the France Thermes group.

“We believe that France Thermes is an ideal platform on which to create a leading player in the French thermal spa market. The group relies on a splendid management team that has shown that its thermal resort concept delivers excellent results and is ready for wider deployment,” stated Gautier Lefebvre, Principal in Gimv’s Health & Care team.

Benoit Chastaing, Partner, Partner in Gimv’s Health & Care team, added: “The France Thermes model fits perfectly with the concept of continuous care provision. Our expertise in the consolidation of healthcare facilities combined with our long-term vision will be major advantages for implementing France Thermes’ plan. We are very proud to have been selected by Sylvain Serafini and his team to support the group in carrying out its ambitious growth plan.”

No further financial details on this transaction will be disclosed.

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ACTIVA CAPITAL strengtens its commitment to ESG

Activa Capital

ACTIVA CAPITAL strengtens its commitment to ESG with the promotion of Emma France as ESG and Digital Transformation Associate.

Paris, February 2nd 2018–Activa Capital, a committed player in esponsible investing,announces the promotion of Emma France as Associate for ESG and Digital Transformation. Emma’s mission, under the responsibility of Christophe Parier, Partner, will be to strengthen the ESG process within Activa Capital as well as in all its portfolio companies. This appointment underscores Activa Capital’s commitment to economic and social governance.

Emma joined Activa Capital in 2017 as an ESG Analyst in charge of creating ESG roadmaps for Activa Capital’s portfolio companies. Her role was to guide the portfolio and Activa Capital in all areas related to ESG: best practice audits, launching and steering of specific projects and the evaluation of their results.

The aim of Activa Capital’s ESG  strategy is also to have an impact on the firm’s investment practices prior to and after investment, as well as to use ESG values for bolstering relations between private equity and management teams. A recent one – day MySezame training session on social innovation for Activa Capital and its management teams highlights Activa Capital’s vision of innovative and sustainable business models.

Emma worked as a freelance consultant in social innovation during her studies at HEC Paris, where she graduated in 2016 with a degree in Digital Business. Following an internship at Enedis, the French electricity distribution operator, on Smart Grids and Energy Transition, she co-founded a start-up in early-2015 called Unicorner.

We are delighted to promote Emma as Associate in charge of ESG and Digital Transformation and to have a specialized and experienced person dedicated to ESG. Her strong knowledge regarding digital issues and ESG will allow us to strengthen our capacity to address these various challenges, which have been a top priority within our company for several years. Her promotion comes at a time when we are accelerating our strategy of responsible investing and is proof of our commitment to integrating ESG criteria in to our strategy.» says Christophe Parier.

About Activa Capital

Activa Capital is a leading French mid-market private equity firm. Activa Capital manages over €500m of private equity funds on behalf of a wide range of institutional investors. Activa Capital partners with ambitious mid-sized French companies, valued at €20m to €200m, seeking to accelerate their growth and their international footprint. Learn more about Activa Capital at activacapital.com or on Twitter@activacapital

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Gilde Healthcare invests in business intelligence for healthcare by acquiring Performation

GIlde Healthcare

Utrecht, The Netherlands – Gilde Healthcare today announces the acquisition of Performation, market leader in business intelligence for healthcare in the Netherlands. The investment of Gilde Healthcare will facilitate the expansion of the company’s service offering to improve operational, tactical and strategic control of healthcare clients.

Healthcare business intelligence is growing fast
Business intelligence is an essential tool in modern hospital management. Reports on quality, costs and operations provide vital input to managers taking decisions. The demand for business intelligence in the healthcare sector is forecast to grow by 10-15% annually. “Better insights on the effectiveness of the care delivered not only enables increasing quality of care, but also has the potential to decrease its costs,” comments Hugo de Bruin, partner with Gilde Healthcare.

Broadening service offering
Performation has grown rapidly over the last years. “The investment by Gilde Healthcare enables us to introduce new services to manage and control the quality of healthcare companies. We will continue to develop new products in house, such as our successful Notiz product for DRG registration assurance. In addition, we will consider acquiring companies with strong existing service offerings to add to our platform,” says Steven Lugard, CEO of Performation. “The recent acquisition of revenue forecasting provider Datinzo is an example of this. It strengthens our position as a full range business intelligence supplier for the healthcare sector.”

Improving healthcare delivery
The investment in Performation fits well with the profile of Gilde Healthcare as a specialist investor. De Bruin: “We are constantly looking for companies that positively contribute to the quality of healthcare delivery. Performation’s partnership with IKNL is a good example of this value add. Performation supports the Dutch cancer research foundation in reporting treatment outcomes. With this information, cancer care in the Netherlands is constantly improved. Demand for healthcare information is growing, not only with healthcare managers, but also among patients and doctors. Performation is a leading expert in extracting this data and transforming it into the desired information.”

About Performation
Performation Healthcare Intelligence is a provider of healthcare specific business intelligence solutions to monitor costs, processes and quality. The company supports clients in taking well-informed decisions that contribute to the delivery of high quality and effective care. With over a hundred enthusiastic consultants and business intelligence experts, Performation is a leading player in the Dutch market.

About Gilde Healthcare
Gilde Healthcare is a specialized European healthcare investor managing two business lines: a venture & growth capital fund and a lower mid-market buy-out fund. Gilde Healthcare’s venture & growth capital fund invests in medtech, diagnostics, digital health and therapeutics. The portfolio companies are based in Europe and North America. Gilde Healthcare’s lower mid-market buy-out fund invests in profitable European healthcare services companies with a focus on the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. The portfolio consists of healthcare providers, suppliers of medical products and other service providers in the healthcare market. Since 2001 Gilde Healthcare has raised €800 million ($1 billion) for its specialized funds. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.gildehealthcare.com

Gilde Healthcare

Gilde Healthcare is a specialized European healthcare investor managing two business lines: a lower mid-market buy-out fund and a venture & growth capital fund. It has over €800 million ($1 billion) under management and is actively looking to lead new investments in digital health, diagnostics, medical devices, therapeutics and healthcare services across Europe and the US.

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Kinnevik supports the proposed combination of MTG’s Nordic Entertainment and MTG Studios businesses with TDC Group

Kinnevik

Kinnevik AB (publ) (“Kinnevik”) today announced that it supports the proposed combination of Modern Times Group MTG AB (publ)’s (“MTG”) Nordic Entertainment and Studios businesses (together “MTG Nordics”) with TDC A/S (“TDC Group”), and that it is expected to become a 5.6 percent shareholder in the combined company.

As announced today by MTG and TDC Group, the companies have entered into an agreement to combine MTG Nordics with TDC Group. As consideration, MTG will receive 308.9 million newly issued shares in TDC Group, worth approximately SEK 16.3bn per yesterday’s closing price, and SEK 3.3bn in cash. MTG intends to distribute all the received TDC Group shares to its shareholders immediately upon completion. The completion of the combination is subject to, inter alia, approval by the shareholders of MTG and TDC Group at their respective General Meetings, which are currently expected to be held during the second quarter of 2018, as well as necessary authority approvals.

Kinnevik is today the largest shareholder in MTG, holding in aggregate 20.0 percent of the shares and 47.6 percent of the votes.[1] Kinnevik has made an irrevocable commitment to vote in favor of the combination and the distribution at the general meeting in MTG, and not to sell any shares or otherwise deprive itself of any voting rights in MTG until the distribution is completed, subject to disposals according to customary conditions and for regulatory purposes. In addition, Kinnevik has committed to certain thresholds in relation to potential acquisitions of TDC Group shares until the distribution is completed, subject to customary conditions.

When the TDC Group shares have been distributed to MTG’s shareholders, Kinnevik is expected to hold 5.6 percent of the shares in TDC Group.

Georgi Ganev, CEO of Kinnevik, commented: “MTG has executed a successful strategic transformation from a traditional national broadcaster into a global digital entertainer. The proposed combination will create Europe’s first fully convergent media and communications provider by teaming up with a well-known partner in Denmark and Norway. The combination will at the same time enable MTG to focus on the development of its global digital entertainment verticals. We are supportive and excited about the proposed transaction.”

For further information about the financial details and preliminary timetable of the combination, the distribution of the TDC Group shares to MTG’s shareholders, as well as information about the combined company and the new MTG, please refer to the press releases issued by MTG at www.mtg.com and TDC Group at www.tdcgroup.com.

 

This information is information that Kinnevik AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out below, at 07.35 CET on 1 February 2018.

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Aurelius Omega Limited unlikely to complete acquisition of Connect Books

Aurelius Capital

Munich/London February 1, 2018 – Aurelius Omega Limited (“AOL”), a group company of AURELIUS Equity Opportunities SE & Co. KGaA (ISIN DE000A0JK2A8) refers to the proposed acquisition of the books division of Connect Group PLC (“Connect Books”) pursuant to a share purchase agreement dated 20 December 2017.

Very shortly after signing of the transaction, we were informed that there was a severe under-performance of the Connect Books business for the month of December 2017, which led to a significant decrease in forecasted EBIT for the financial year 2017/2018. This was a marked deviation from the forecasts provided to us by Connect Group before signing of the transaction. As a result of this change, our banking partners confirmed that they could no longer provide financing for the proposed acquisition.

We have made several attempts to find a mutually satisfactory solution with Connect Group and the banking partners, but it now appears unlikely that the transaction will proceed.

 

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Aurelius successfully completes acquisition of Spanish packaging specialist Abelan

Aurelius Capital

  • Deal represents Aurelius’ third acquisition in the European packaging sector since 2015
  • Aurelius plans to further strengthen its operations in the packaging sector
  • Three manufacturing facilities in Spain and France
  • Projected revenues of c.€70m in 2017

Munich/London/Madrid, February 1, 2018 – AURELIUS Equity Opportunities SE & Co. KGaA (ISIN DE000A0JK2A8) successfully completed the acquisition of Abelan Board Industrial S.L., a major producer of core board and solid board packaging products operating out of Southern Europe, as of January 31, 2018. The deal represents AURELIUS’ third acquisition in the European packaging sector since 2015 and will further strengthen the Group’s operations in this market. The financial terms of the deal are undisclosed. Aurelius plans to further strengthen its operations in the packaging sector via strategic add-on acquisitions going forward.

Founded in 1911, Abelan has grown to be one of Europe’s leading providers of core board and solid board packaging solutions. The Company is headquartered in San Andrés in northern Spain and employs c.250 people across three manufacturing facilities in Spain and France. It is projected to generate revenues of approximately €70m in 2017. Abelan has two key areas of expertise: the production of core board, for cardboard tubes, boxes and other applications within packaging, and its solid board packaging division, which supplies a large variety of boxes and trays to major distribution brands in the European agricultural, meat, flower and various other industries.

Managing Director of Abelan, Simón Roda, will continue to lead the Company. Abelan will be combined with AURELIUS investee company Solidus Solutions, one of Europe’s leading producers of solid board, graphic board and solid board packaging with c.1,000 employees. Solidus has production facilities in the Netherlands, Belgium and the UK, having integrated its sites after AURELIUS acquired the Northern European activities of Abelan in June 2016, as well as dedicated sales offices in France and Norway. AURELIUS’ acquisition of Abelan, and the integration of its production facilities and customer base into Solidus, will create synergies across both companies’ production, purchasing and sales. In addition, it will strengthen Solidus’ access to Southern European markets and establish Solidus as a leading player in the areas of solid board, graphic board and core board.

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Tesi and LocalTapiola to invest in the growth of the renewed Viria

Tesi

LocalTapiola and Tesi have reached an agreement on a significant investment in Viria, a company that offers solutions in digital and physical security. As part of the arrangement, LocalTapiola and Tesi will buy 575,000 shares of Viria Plc’s subsidiary Vemetra Holding Oy at the price of EUR 20 per share. The total purchase price is EUR 11.5 million.

Photo Viria Group

Following the transaction, LocalTapiola will become the largest external owner of Viria with its 300,000 shares, and Tesi the second largest with its 275,000 shares. Their combined shareholding of the company will be approximately 10%. Viria Group will retain ownership of 393,700 shares, accounting for 7.3% of the total shares.

Viria is an ICT and security service company that combines cyber security, security technology solutions and advanced analytics in its business in a unique way. Previously operating under the name of Anvia, the company sold its telecommunications business to Elisa in 2016 and began building a new overall structure based on security and network technology as well as data management.

“Viria’s goal is to renew the security industry as a pioneer of the field. The funds we got from this transaction will support the implementation of our strategy, as our goal is to grow our business both organically and through strategic corporate acquisitions. Selling our shares is also an important step in developing Viria’s ownership structure to become more diversified,” says Mika Vihervuori, CEO of Viria

“Viria’s business is a combination of interesting operations that support one another; analytics, network security and physical security. We believe that these will grow notably as we go on. As a life security company, this kind of business is close to us, and we believe that these services will be offered to businesses and private persons even more in the future,” says Pasi Haarala, CEO of LocalTapiola Pohjanmaa.

“The company has a strong leadership that works together for a common goal and has proved its ability to carry out corporate acquisitions and business integration processes. In addition to growing in Finland, the company aims to grow internationally and apply for a stock exchange listing,” says Jussi Hattula, Director at Tesi.

More information

Mika Vihervuori, CEO, Viria tel. 040 720 2140
Pasi Haarala, CEO of LähiTapiola Pohjanmaa, tel. 0400 958 835
Jussi Hattula, Director, Tesi, tel. 040 066 9955

Viria has strong expertise in physical and cyber security, information management and TV services. The Viria Group consists of the parent company Viria Plc and its subsidiaries Viria Securi Ltd, Viria LAN&WAN Ltd, Hibox Systems Oy Ab, Tansec Oy and AB Sappa. All the companies are experiencing good growth, and many are among the largest operators in their markets. www.viria.fi

The mission of the LocalTapiola Group is to secure our customers life and success. Our vision is to provide a more secure and healthy life for Finns. Lifelong security means that our customers receive comprehensive and pre-emptive service. LocalTapiola is a financial group owned by its customers, which services private customers, farms, entrepreneurs, companies and organisations. LocalTapiolas products and services cover life, non-life and pension insurance, as well as placements and savings. LocalTapiola is also an expert in company risk management and well-being in the workplace. www.lahitapiola.fi

Tesi (Finnish Industry Investment Ltd) is a venture capital and private equity company that accelerates companies’ success stories by investing in them directly and via funds. Tesi always invests together with other investors, providing them with access to high quality deal-flow in Finland. Our investments under management total 1 billion euros and we have altogether 723 companies in portfolio. www.tesi.fi/en | @TesiFII

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Clarion Events completes merger with Global Sources

Blackstone

February 1, 2018 – London based Clarion Events, one of the world’s leading independent events organisers, has completed a merger with Global Sources, a leading Asian exhibitions and online B2B marketplace operator based in Hong Kong. Funds managed by Blackstone will control the combined group. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Combining both market-leaders will create one of the largest privately-owned exhibitions businesses globally, with substantial scale across Asia, Europe and North America, organising 200 events per year and generating more than £300m of Revenues. The combined group will be led by the existing Clarion management team under Chief Executive Officer Russell Wilcox and Chairman Simon Kimble. The new group will continue to operate under the name Clarion Events, with the Global Sources brand identity retained in the Asian region.

Commenting on the announcement, Russell Wilcox, CEO of Clarion Events, said: “This merger marks an important milestone for both companies as we embark on an exciting new chapter. With the support of Blackstone, the new Group is well positioned to take advantage of our combined scale and global platform. We look forward to working with the Global Sources management, and believe that the remarkable expertise and capability of the combined company offers a very strong opportunity for future growth.”

Lionel Assant, Head of European Private Equity at Blackstone, added: “We are very excited by the merger. There is significant opportunity in the events space globally and this is a perfect strategic fit driven by tremendous growth potential.”

About Clarion Events 
Clarion is one of the world’s leading events organisers, producing and delivering innovative and market-leading events since 1947. In more recent times the firm has grown into a truly international business, with a portfolio of events and media brands across a range of vertical markets. Our 1000 employees based in our 13 offices worldwide specialise in delivering first class marketing, networking, and information solutions in high value sectors, both in mature and emerging geographies.

About Global Sources 
Global Sources is a leading regional exhibitions and online B2B marketplace operator based in Hong Kong. The Company operates 8 semi-annual export-oriented sourcing exhibitions in Hong Kong, including the largest electronics and mobile electronics shows in the world, as well as an annual machinery show in China. Collectively, the Company’s exhibitions host over 10,000 exhibitors and 200,000 attendees each year and its B2B marketplace, GlobalSources.com, serves a community of more than 1.5 million professional buyers worldwide

About Blackstone
Blackstone is one of the world’s leading investment firms. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in, and the communities in which we work. We do this by using extraordinary people and flexible capital to help companies solve problems. Our asset management businesses, with over $385 billion in assets under management, include investment vehicles focused on private equity, real estate, public debt and equity, non-investment grade credit, real assets and secondary funds, all on a global basis. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com. Follow Blackstone on Twitter @Blackstone.

Media Contact:

Blackstone
Andrew Dowler/Rebecca Flower
+44 (0) 207 451 4005
+44 (0) 7918 360 372
Andrew.Dowler@Blackstone.com

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UCB and investor syndicate led by Novo Seeds launch Syndesi Therapeutics to develop novel therapeutics for cognitive disorders

UCB Ventures

Syndesi Therapeutics to leverage UCB’s expertise in neurology drug discovery to develop potential therapeutics in cognitive disorders with a first-in-class mechanism • Series A financing of €17 M from a syndicate of Belgian and international investors

Brussels, Belgium – February 1st, 2018 – The creation of Syndesi Therapeutics (‘Syndesi’) was announced today as the result of a partnership between UCB and a syndicate of Belgian and international investors. The investor syndicate is led by Novo Seeds and Fountain Healthcare together with Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JJDC, Inc. (JJDC), V-BIO Ventures, the Walloon Investment Fund (SRIW) and VIVES Louvain Technology Fund. Syndesi Therapeutics has exclusively licensed a first-in-class small molecule program from UCB and the series A investment totalling €17M will fund the clinical development of the lead compound up to early proof-of-concept in humans.

Syndesi Therapeutics is based in Belgium and will leverage UCB’s neurology expertise in modulating the synaptic vesicle protein SV2A. UCB’s Neuroscience researchers in Belgium have designed a unique class of novel SV2A modulators. Unlike levetiracetam and other types of SV2A modulators discovered and developed by UCB for epilepsy, the novel compounds are devoid of anti-epileptic properties but have demonstrated robust pro-cognitive properties in preclinical models. Cognitive impairment currently being outside UCB’s strategic scope, the decision was made to have the program further developed externally to leverage its full potential. The discovery of these novel pro-cognitive SV2A modulators at UCB has benefitted from prior support of the Walloon Region, and Syndesi will use the Series A investment to build upon that work and move the lead molecule into clinical development.

“UCB is the world leader in SV2A research, having discovered and developed two major antiepileptic drugs treating patients around the world. We are excited to see Syndesi develop our novel pro-cognitive SV2A modulators to create value for patients with cognitive impairment,” said Dhavalkumar Patel, UCB’s Chief Scientific Officer and Executive Vice President. “The Belgian life science ecosystem is particularly vibrant and we realised that it was the right environment to promote this research as part of our biotech model approach.

” Jonathan Savidge, PhD CEO of Syndesi noted “Development of these small molecules that modulate the SV2A target in a distinct manner represents an intriguing new approach for the treatment of cognitive deficits since they specifically target synaptic dysfunction, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s Disease and other indications characterized by cognitive impairment. Syndesi benefits both from UCB’s research expertise and from an impressive syndicate of experienced investors and their respective networks.” “Cognitive impairment remains an area of significant unmet need for patients not only with Alzheimer’s Disease but also more broadly across a range of neurological disorders, and we are excited about the potential promise of this novel therapeutic approach,” says Morten Graugaard Døssing, Principal at Novo Seeds. “I am thrilled to be working with the company which is supported by scientists at UCB and able to leverage Janssen neuroscience expertise via a presence at the JLINX incubator, all in an effort to develop products that could one day make a meaningful difference for patients suffering from cognitive impairment.”

About Syndesi Therapeutics Syndesi Therapeutics (www.syndesitherapeutics.com) has been established at the Centre d’Entreprises et d’Innovation (CEI) in Louvain-la-Neuve and will have a presence at the JLINX incubator facilities to access expertise at the Janssen campus in Beerse, Belgium. Syndesi has an exclusive, worldwide license from UCB to develop and commercialise a series of novel, pro-cognitive SV2A modulators. Syndesi will build on a rich legacy of work by UCB to further develop these novel SV2A modulators to investigate their potential to improve cognition in diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease, other dementias and cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia.

About UCB UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines and solutions to transform the lives of people living with severe diseases in immunology and neurology. With more than 7500 people in approximately 40 countries, the company generated revenue of €4.2 billion in 2016. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB). Follow us on Twitter: @UCB_news

About Novo Holdings and Novo Seeds Novo Seeds is the early-stage investment arm of Novo Holdings (www.novoholdings.dk). Novo Holdings is a private limited liability company wholly owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The company is the holding company in the Novo Group, comprising Novo Nordisk A/S, Novozymes A/S and NNIT A/S, and is responsible for managing the Foundation’s assets. In addition to being the major shareholder in the Novo Group companies, Novo Holdings provides seed and venture capital to development-stage companies, takes significant ownership positions in well-established companies within the life sciences and manages a broad portfolio of financial assets.

About Fountain Healthcare Partners Fountain Healthcare Partners (www.fh-partners.com) is a life science focused venture capital fund with €176 million ($200 million) under management. Within the life science sector, specific areas of interest to Fountain include specialty pharma, medical devices, biotechnology and diagnostics. The firm deploys the majority of its capital in Europe, with the balance in the United States. Fountain’s main office is in Dublin, Ireland, with a second office in New York.

About Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JJDC, Inc. (JJDC) Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JJDC Inc. (JJDC) is the strategic venture capital arm of Johnson & Johnson and a long-term investment partner to global healthcare entrepreneurs. Founded in 1973, JJDC continues a legacy of customizing deals for data-driven companies across the continuum of healthcare, with the goal of turning great ideas into transformative new pharmaceutical, medical device and consumer healthcare products. www.jjdc.com

About V-Bio Ventures V-Bio Ventures (www.v-bio.ventures) is an independent venture capital firm specialized in building and financing young, innovative life science companies. V-Bio Ventures was established in 2015 and works closely with Belgium-based VIB, one of the world’s premier life science institutes. The fund invests throughout Europe in start-up and early-stage companies with high growth potential focusing on technologies that provide transformational improvements in the biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical, diagnostics and agricultural sectors.

About SRIW SA SRIW Société Régionale d’Investissement de Wallonie (www.sriw.be) provides equity and/or debt to companies that generate added value and employment in Wallonia. SRIW facilitates the region’s economic development, contributing effectively to the modernisation, growth and restructuring of the businesses that make up the Walloon industrial network. In the life science sector, SRIW is investor in more than 30 companies such as I.B.A., Celyad, or Ogeda of which it recently exited. Its current portfolio fair value is above 150 million €. About VIVES-Louvain Technology Fund The VIVES Louvain Technology Fund (www.vivesfund.com) is a multi-sector technology fund which invests in the spin-offs of the Université catholique de Louvain (UCL) and startups in Belgium and neighboring countries. VIVES II is funded by a dozen leading Belgian and European investors such as the EUROPEAN INVESTMENT FUND (EIF), SFPI-FPIM, BNP PARIBAS FORTIS PRIVATE EQUITY BELGIUM, BPI FRANCE (France), ING BELGIUM, SOFINA, AXA BELGIUM, BELFIUS, IRD (France), NIVELINVEST, REGION BRUXELLES CAPITAL and by SOPARTEC. The objective of the fund is to invest in the development of start-ups, from validation of the technology to commercial maturity. The funds (VIVES I – €15 million and VIVES II – €43 million) are managed by SOPARTEC, UCL’s technology transfer company, member of the Louvain Technology Transfer Office.

For further information, UCB: Corporate Communications France Nivelle Global Communications, UCB T +32.2.559.9178 france.nivelle@ucb.com Laurent Schots Media Relations, UCB T+32.2.559.92.64 Laurent.schots@ucb.com Investor Relations Antje Witte Investor Relations, UCB T +32.2.559.94.14 antje.witte@ucb.com Isabelle Ghellynck, Investor Relations, UCB T+32.2.559.9588, isabelle.ghellynck@ucb.com

UCB Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current plans, estimates and beliefs of management. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including estimates of revenues, operating margins, capital expenditures, cash, other financial information, expected legal, political, regulatory or clinical results and other such estimates and results. By their nature, such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions which could cause actual results to differ materially from those that may be implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Important factors that could result in such differences include: changes in general economic, business and competitive conditions, the inability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals or to obtain them on acceptable terms, costs associated with research and development, changes in the prospects for products in the pipeline or under development by UCB, effects of future judicial decisions or governmental investigations, product liability claims, challenges to patent protection for products or product candidates, changes in laws or regulations, exchange rate fluctuations, changes or uncertainties in tax laws or the administration of such laws and hiring and retention of its employees. UCB is providing this information as of the date of this press release and expressly disclaims any duty to update any information contained in this press release, either to confirm the actual results or to report a change in its expectations. There is no guarantee that new product candidates in the pipeline will progress to product approval or that new indications for existing products will be developed and approved. Products or potential products which are the subject of partnerships, joint ventures or licensing collaborations may be subject to differences between the partners. Also, UCB or others could discover safety, side effects or manufacturing problems with its products after they are marketed. Moreover, sales may be impacted by international and domestic trends toward managed care and health care cost containment and the reimbursement policies imposed by third-party payers as well as legislation affecting biopharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement. Open PDF of “Syndesi Therapeutics ENG” Open PDF of “Syndesi Therapeutics FR” Open PDF of “Syndesi Therapeutics NL”

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