CBPE Capital (“CBPE”) is pleased to announce that it has acquired Simbec-Orion Group Limited (“Simbec-Orion” or “the Company”) from the Wales Life Sciences Investment Fund LP (“WLSIF”). CBPE is investing alongside the management team led by CEO, Ronald Openshaw. The terms of the transaction have not been disclosed.
Simbec-Orion is a boutique full service clinical phase I-III contract research organisation (“CRO”) serving biotech companies and small and mid-cap pharmaceutical companies. The Company has particular specialism in the areas of oncology, rare diseases and orphan indications, respiratory conditions and translational medicine.
Simbec-Orion operates across Europe and North America and has conducted studies in more than 30 territories worldwide. It is one of the very few CROs able to offer its clients a genuine full spectrum of clinical development services including Phase I Healthy Volunteer programmes, Phase I-III patient programmes, delivering project management, clinical operations, data management, statistics, IMP management, central laboratory and pharmacovigilance services.
The investment in Simbec-Orion continues CBPE’s strong track record of investing in companies in the healthcare sector and helping to build strong, sustainable platforms for growth. The current portfolio includes Rodericks, a leading provider of NHS, private and specialist dental services; SpaMedica, which provides leading ophthalmic services; Optima Health, the largest occupational health services provider in the UK and Medica Reporting, the UK market leader in teleradiology.
CBPE’s investment in Simbec-Orion will support the continued growth of the business. CBPE will work with the management team to enhance the operations and facilities of the Company and to pursue further geographic expansion, particularly in North America and Europe.
Ronald Openshaw, Chief Executive of Simbec-Orion said:
“When Simbec-Orion was formed through the merger of Simbec Research and Orion Clinical in June 2014, it provided the base to create a growing CRO in the European mid-market. Since then, we have developed a strategy and a clearly defined and differentiated offering for our biotech and pharmaceutical clients. We are delighted to be working with CBPE to realise our ambitions for the future growth of the Company”.
Anand Jain, Partner at CBPE, said
“We have been following Simbec-Orion’s growth since the merger in 2014 and are delighted to be supporting the business through the next phase of its development. We are excited about providing Simbec-Orion with the investment and support required to further develop their services and to expand geographically both organically and through acquisitions”.
CBPE’s investment in Simbec-Orion was led by Anand Jain with support from Jolyon Latimer and Adam Richardson. Anand Jain and Adam Richardson will join the Board of Simbec-Orion.
