Next year is shaping up to be a very strong year for M&A activity in the Knowledge Economy. In order to assist your preparation for 2021, take a look at our M&A Preview, in which we discuss the following eight key trends:
- The adoption of digital is accelerating
- Emerging technologies are being commercialised rapidly
- There is a convergence across the sector and delivery models are blending
- Private equity participation in the knowledge economy is increasing
- Next-generation technology platforms are emerging
- Vertical software solutions are playing an increasing role
- Buyers are returning to nearshore locations for access to new skills
- Shareholders are aligning expectations and addressing structural risks
December 2017
Global consulting and IT services sector M&A specialist, Equiteq, announces the sale of its Life Sciences consulting client, The Biotech Quality Group (BQG), to international engineering group, Assystem S.A.
From offices in Belgium, Switzerland and France, BQG specialises in performance management and regulatory compliance in Europe’s pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Since it was founded in 2011 it has developed a range of bespoke methods and tools aimed at increasing the maturity and transforming the practices of the (bio)pharmaceutical industry, reducing time to market and production stoppages, and effectively managing and remedying crisis situations. Assystem’s Energy and Infrastructure division specialises in the operational aspects of commissioning, certifying and validating drug and biopharmaceutical production lines, allowing manufacturers to comply with regulatory requirements.
The acquisition of BQG significantly moves Assystem forward in the implementation of its Life Sciences strategy of becoming a European leader in the areas of commissioning, certification, validation and regulatory compliance in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries in Europe and at further developing its Life Sciences engineering activities.
Fabrice Dekoninck, co-founder and CEO of BQG, said “I am delighted and proud that our company is joining the Assystem Group. We share the same project-focused culture in a highly-regulated industrial environment as well as the ability to work closely with our clients based on a true relationship of trust. The combination of our teams and expertise will enable us to offer the market a one-of-a-kind service offering, with integrated solutions across the whole drug lifecycle. Philippe Kalmbach, co-founder of BQG, added “We chose to work with Equiteq because of their deep expertise in the consultancy sector. Throughout the process, the team was on hand to support us and provide insight to facilitate a successful completion.”
Ed Groome, Director, based in Equiteq’s London office, commented “This is a significant transaction for our client which leverages the commercial, technical and organisational synergies between BQG’s activities and Assystem’s existing operations in the Life Sciences sector. The transaction enables BQG to strengthen its position in its current markets, expand its services to provide clients with an end-to-end offer to address the major industry challenges, and creates a strong platform for future growth into new markets.”
BGQ’s current CEO, Fabrice Dekonick will take the roll of CEO of the newly combined entity.
To see all of our deals, please click here. ©Equiteq 2017