Today, Smile Invest announces the sale of Rovers Medical Devices B.V. (“Rovers”), the leading designer and manufacturer of sample collection devices used in the prevention and diagnostics of cervical cancer, to Halma plc (“Halma”), a global group of life-saving technology companies.
Halma will support Rovers in realizing its ambition to become the global leader in sample collection devices targeted at the prevention and diagnostics of cervical cancer and other diseases, thereby reinforcing its vital role in cervical cancer screening globally.
Rovers sees Halma as the perfect partner to realize its growth ambitions and a partner that is well aligned with its culture and mission. Halma’s extensive experience creates a solid basis for Rovers and its employees to realize the company’s strategic agenda.
In the 5-year period of working together with Smile Invest, Rovers managed to reinforce the position of its key products globally, create compelling new products and further improve the highly automated production set-up, creating a solid foundation for the Rovers’ next growth phase.
Rovers and its shareholders were advised by Lincoln International (financial advisor).
This transaction is the fourth deal of Smile Invest this year, following the exit and reinvestment in SmartSD, the sale of Microflor and the recent investment in MedEnvision.
Roel Leenders – Chief Executive Officer, Rovers
“We want to contribute to the prevention of cancer on a global scale. This mission strongly aligns to Halma’s when it comes to improving quality of care for patients. Many physicians work with us to develop the highest quality screening products that are most effective for their patients. I am grateful for Smile Invest’s support during the holding period, in which Rovers was able to grow significantly and continued to invest in its state-of-the-art, fully automated production set-up.”
Ivo Vincente and Thomas Dewever – Managing Partners, Smile Invest
“We are proud to have supported Rovers in its development as the reference in the market for cervical cancer cell sampling. As a key player in women’s health we are convinced that Rovers will remain the solution of choice for medical professionals and women worldwide. It has been a privilege to work with Roel Leenders and Rover’s management team and we wish them all the best under the Halma umbrella.”
Marc Ronchetti – Chief Executive Officer, Halma
“Rovers will broaden the range of markets we serve in women’s health and further strengthen our Healthcare sector’s position in cancer diagnosis products. We are excited by the opportunities we see to increase Rovers’ positive impact on public health. We expect its future growth to be driven by increasing global cervical screening rates, supporting the World Health Organization’s strategy to accelerate the early detection of cervical cancer.”
For further information, please contact:
Smile Invest NV
Thomas Dewever, Managing Partner: +32(0)476.423.582
Ivo Vincente, Managing Partner: +31(0)622.919.232
Rovers (www.roversmedicaldevices.com)
Rovers is a designer and manufacturer of sample collection devices used in the prevention and diagnostics of cervical cancer. Rovers’ products are principally for professional use and include its Cervex-Brush®, widely recognized as the gold standard for cervical cancer and HPV screening. Rovers’ products are used in more than 90 countries, and are sold primarily to medical diagnostic companies, as well as medical distributors, laboratories, research institutes and governments.
Smile Invest (www.smile-invest.com)
Smile Invest (Smart Money for Innovation Leaders) is a European evergreen investment firm with over €500m of assets under management, financed by 40 entrepreneurial families and with a long-term focus on innovative growth companies. Smile Invest focuses on companies active in three investment themes: digitalization, healthcare and sustainability. Since its inception in 2017, Smile Invest has invested in 17 platform companies in Belgium and the Netherlands. From its offices in Leuven and The Hague, the team supports ambitious entrepreneurs and management teams in realizing their growth plans.
Halma plc (www.halma.com)
Halma is a global group of life-saving technology companies, focused on growing a safer, cleaner, healthier future for everyone, every day. Its purpose defines the three broad markets it operates in: Health, Environment and Safety. It employs over 8,000 people in more than 20 countries, with major operations in the UK, Mainland Europe, the USA and Asia Pacific. Halma is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LON: HLMA) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index.
