(Finance) – Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (GBL) has signed definitive agreements for acquire a majority stake in Affidea from B-FLEXION, the leading provider of diagnostic services in Europe. GBL will invest up to € 1 billion of equity in the transaction. Affidea’s majority shareholder, B-FLEXION, will completely withdraw from its stake and management will reinvest together with GBL. For the Belgian holding, this investment in a defensive sector provides “resilience and diversification” to its portfolio.
Affidea is the leading European supplier of diagnostic imaging, outpatient services and cancer treatment, present in 15 countries in Europe, with 320 centers. The group employs nearly 11,000 professionals and performs more than 15 million diagnostic tests each year. The transaction is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2022.
“Following recent investments in Webhelp, Canyon and Voodoo, Affidea is a continuation of GBL’s strategy to increase its exposure to private companies operating in growing markets and supported by interesting secular trends“commented Ian Gallienne, CEO of GBL.