Zug, Switzerland and London, UK, 25 March 2025 – Global investment firm Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) today announced that its Global Credit platform has provided a strategic investment of EUR 250 million to Sanoptis, a European leader in ophthalmology services. The investment, which is through a preferred equity instrument, will be used to accelerate Sanoptis’ growth, including the continued expansion of Sanoptis’ European footprint through M&A and investment in state-of-the-art technologies and treatments.
Majority-owned by investment company Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (“GBL”) (ENXTBR: GBLB), Sanoptis is one of Europe’s largest ophthalmology services providers with over 450 locations across Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Austria and Greece. With c.4,700 employees, the company performs 3.3 million treatments per year in conservative ophthalmology consultations as well as in surgeries, while adhering to the highest standards of quality in healthcare.
Adnan Khalef, a Managing Director in Carlyle’s European Private Credit business, said: “We are delighted to provide this strategic investment to Sanoptis in order to strengthen and expand their leading position in ophthalmology services in Europe. We are also pleased to partner with GBL, a leading investor in Europe, who is focused on long-term value creation and benefits from a supportive family shareholder base. The transaction demonstrates our ability to provide flexible capital solutions to strong European businesses to accelerate their growth trajectory.”
Volker Wendel, CEO and Founder of Sanoptis, said: “We are very excited that Carlyle is joining us as a new partner alongside our lead investor GBL. This capital increase is, above all, excellent news for our network. It underscores our commitment to our mission of making high-quality ophthalmology accessible to everyone.”
Michal Chalaczkiewicz, Investment Partner at GBL, said: “We are thrilled about this partnership with Carlyle and our ability to further accelerate the growth trajectory of Sanoptis. Carlyle’s track record and confidence in this endeavour further attests to the value-creation potential this platform holds and represents another important proof point of GBL’s private assets’ strategy.”
Carlyle’s Global Credit platform manages $192 billion in assets under management, as of December 31, 2024. It regularly pursues investments in privately negotiated capital solutions partnering with high-quality sponsors and leading family or entrepreneur-owned companies. The Sanoptis transaction follows the final close of the third Carlyle Credit Opportunities Fund (“CCOF III”) in December 2024, which raised $7.1 billion in investable capital.
Jefferies acted as sole financial adviser to Sanoptis and GBL on this transaction.
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About Sanoptis
Sanoptis is a leading provider of ophthalmology services in Europe, operating a network of over 450 locations across Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Austria, and Greece. With a team of c.4,700 professionals, Sanoptis delivers high-quality eye care through state-of-the-art clinics and ophthalmic practices, performing approximately 3.3 million treatments annually, including both conservative consultations and surgical procedures. Committed to medical excellence, innovation, and patient-centric care, Sanoptis partners with leading ophthalmologists to ensure the highest standards in diagnostics and treatment. The company provides access to modern infrastructure, advanced technologies, and sustainable growth opportunities while preserving the entrepreneurial independence of its affiliated clinics and practices. For more information, visit www.sanoptis.com.
About Carlyle
Carlyle (NASDAQ: CG) is a global investment firm with deep industry expertise that deploys private capital across three business segments: Global Private Equity, Global Credit, and Global Investment Solutions. With $441 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2024, Carlyle’s purpose is to invest wisely and create value on behalf of its investors, portfolio companies, and the communities in which we live and invest. Carlyle employs more than 2,300 people in 29 offices across four continents. Further information is available at www.carlyle.com. Follow Carlyle on X @OneCarlyle and LinkedIn at The Carlyle Group.
About Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (“GBL”)
Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (“GBL”) is an established investment holding company, with seventy years of stock exchange listing and a net asset value of €15.7 billion at the end of December 2024. As a leading and active investor in Europe, GBL focuses on long-term value creation with the support of a stable family shareholder base.
GBL aims to grow its diversified high-quality portfolio of listed, direct private and indirect private investments.
GBL is focused on delivering meaningful growth by providing attractive returns to its shareholders through a combination of growth in its net asset value per share, a sustainable dividend and share buybacks.
GBL is listed on Euronext Brussels (Ticker: GBLB BB; ISIN code: BE0003797140) and is included in the BEL20 index.
Media Contacts
Sanoptis
Martin Cordes
+49 174 2319 621
Carlyle
Andrew Kenny
+44 7816 176120
