Belgian holding GBL acquires diagnostics company Affidea

Brussels-based holding Groupe Bruxelles Lambert (GBL) is taking over Affidea, a European leader in medical diagnostics. The Bel20 company announced this on Tuesday. A definitive agreement has been signed.

GBL is taking over a majority stake from B-Flexion, the investment vehicle of Switzerland's richest man, Ernesto Bertarelli. According to GBL, the investment is worth a billion euros. For the Frère family holding company, this is the first major investment in the health sector. "This investment in a defensive sector offers GBL both resilience and diversification of its portfolio," a press release from the holding company reads.

Founded in 1991, Affidea - headquartered in the Netherlands - is Europe's largest diagnostic imaging company, with 320 centres in 15 countries. The company is active in medical imaging, ambulatory care and cancer treatment. Annually, the company treats 10 million patients. The acquisition also fits within GBL's plans to increase the share of unlisted assets in its portfolio to 40 percent in the long run. At the end of 2021, this share was 25 percent.

(KOR)

© STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN / AFP