5 January 2016
BDA advises founder on sale of diagnostic biotech company CHROMagar SAS

Divested to a Japanese chemicals & life science company
2016
BDA Partners is pleased to announce that the French company CHROMagar SAS, the pioneer in innovative chromogenic culture media solutions for diagnostic applications, has been sold to a Japanese chemicals company. BDA acted as the exclusive financial advisor to CHROMagar founder and shareholder, Dr. Alain Rambach. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Dr. Alain Rambach, an inventor and pioneer since 1979 in chromogenic media technology, founded CHROMagar in 1993 to provide innovative chromogenic media solutions to improve and simplify traditional culture techniques. Established in Paris, not far from the famous Pasteur Institute where Dr. Rambach began his research career, CHROMagar is at the cutting edge of a diagnostic field that developed out of Dr. Rambach’s research in the late 1970s.
The acquisition of CHROMagar will give the buyer access to unique and innovative techniques to detect bacteria. The buyer has existing activities and knowledge in the field of chromogenic media, a strategic plan to expand its biotech business, and the capabilities to support CHROMagar’s continued growth.
Andrew Huntley, Senior Managing Director at BDA, said, “We are delighted to have helped CHROMagar close this successful transaction. It’s another example of the ongoing trend for Japanese corporates to make strategic acquisitions in Europe. Medical technology is a sector where we are experiencing significant appetite for cross-border transactions involving Japanese and other Asian parties.”
About CHROMagar
CHROMagar supplies the widest range of chromogenic culture media available, covering applications in clinical bacteriology, industrial microbiology, and quality control for food and beverage industries, water testing and environmental monitoring. These media allow for a quicker and simpler detection of key clinical and food-borne pathogens. www.chromagar.com
About BDA
BDA Partners is a leader in cross-border investment banking involving Asia. BDA advises on M&A, capital raising, and restructuring. BDA has been consistently owned and managed by the same team since 1996. BDA has a track record of providing independent advice to blue-chip corporate and financial sponsor clients from North America, Europe, and Asia. BDA is headquartered in New York with offices in London, Dubai, Mumbai, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul, and Tokyo. BDA was named M&A Advisory Firm of the Year at The ACG Champions Awards in 2015. BDA formed a partnership with William Blair & Company in 2011. www.bdapartners.com
BDA carries out its US securities business through BDA Advisors Inc, a broker-dealer registered with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and a member of FINRA and SIPC. BDA’s UK subsidiary is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Recent transactions
Divested 100% stake to CareCapital
2020
Divested Escientia Life Sciences to Deccan Fine Chemicals
2020
Divested significant stake in Kehua Bio-Engineering to Gree Real Estate
2020
Divested LAP Laser to IK Investment Partners
2019
Divested majority stake to The Longreach Group
2019
Divested plant health business in Japan to Nisso
2018
Divested The Ritedose Corporation to AGIC and Humanwell
2017
Majority recapitalized by Galen Partners
2017
Divested CMC Biologics to Asahi Glass
2017
Acquired Graphic Controls, USA
2016
Sold stake in An Giang Plant Protection to Standard Chartered
2014
Acquired Adval Tech Medical (Suzhou) and Omni Manufacturing (Mexico)
2013
Divested Shanghai Elsker Mother & Baby Co. Ltd to Johnson & Johnson
2013
Divested Radiant Research Inc, US-based clinical research company
2012
Divested medical supply business to Halma in the UK
2012
Established an animal vaccine JV with Jilin Guoyuan Animal Health
2011
Acquired Lablndia distribution business in India
2010
Divested Swine MH vaccine business in China to Harbin Pharmaceutical group
2010