04/05/2023

Henko Partners invests in PopsiCube and MissionTEC to create a European CRO

  • The two French companies will join forces with BioClever, a Spanish CRO and Henko portfolio company, to offer a comprehensive and innovative international solution in clinical research. In addition, Henko will support the international expansion of the newly created platform with further investments across main European markets.

Madrid, May 4th 2023.

Henko Partners, an Iberian private equity firm, has announced its investment in PopsiCube and MissionTEC, two French Contract Research Organizations (“CRO”).

With a track record of successful projects in various therapeutic areas such as oncology, rare diseases, and cardiovascular disease, PopsiCube has established a strong reputation as a reliable and experienced CRO. Via its subsidiary MissionTEC, the company has also developed innovative strategies for decentralized clinical trials, which have become increasingly important in recent years.

In July 2022, Henko Partners already invested in BioClever, a leading CRO in Spain, with strong expertise in biometrics. Starting with these three investments, Henko Partners is building a pan-European CRO that will offer an expanded range of clinical trials services to its customers and their patients. Henko Partners will support the international expansion of the companies and create a European CRO that offers clients access to cross-country services, in addition to continuing to service national markets. The new European CRO will be able to manage all aspects of clinical trials, from early to late phase studies and including decentralized clinical trials.

By combining the three companies, Henko Partners creates a powerful company for innovation in clinical research services across Europe. In addition to supporting PopsiCube and MissionTEC’s existing offerings, this new partnership is expected to generate significant growth opportunities in the coming years. This unique combination of capabilities positions the new organization as a highly differentiated CRO in the current European context.

The founders and current management team of PopsiCube will continue to lead the company. Henko will provide operating support alongside capital to accelerate the business plan.

“This is an exciting opportunity for us,” said Fabrice Beauchêne, CEO of PopsiCube. “Henko’s expertise and resources will enable us to enhance our service offering while continuing to provide our clients with the same reliable quality they know.”

“PopsiCube and MissionTEC have established strong reputations as leaders in their respective fields,” said Lars Becker, partner at Henko. “We are thrilled to help them grow their business by providing support and resources.”

The partnership between Henko Partners, PopsiCube, MissionTEC, and BioClever is a big step towards creating a comprehensive solution for the European life science industry. This new venture places the companies in an ideal position to take advantage of the extensive growth opportunities present in the CRO industry across Europe.

After investing in Spain and France with these three companies, Henko Partners intends to continue investing in CROs across Europe to form a leading company that focuses on high-quality and innovative services for clinical research.

Henko Partners was advised in this transaction by Bird&Bird and Oderis as legal and financial advisors, respectively. PopsiCube and MissionTEC were advised by Fiducial Sofiral as legal advisors.

 

About PopsiCube:
PopsiCube is a French-based Contract Research Organization (CRO) that offers end-to-end services for clinical trials. The company has near of 20 years of experience in providing efficient and cost-effective clinical research services to clients in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device industries. PopsiCube’s team of experts offers services such as study design, site selection, regulatory affairs, project management, monitoring, and data management.

About MissionTEC:
MissionTEC is a leading clinical research organization that specializes in providing clinical research nursing services and investigator’s site supports. The company has a strong presence in Europe, with an extensive network of experienced and highly trained clinical research nurses who provide innovative solutions for clinical research studies. MissionTEC’s services include home healthcare services, support in patient recruitment and retention, study drug administration, or sampling, among others.

About BioClever:
BioClever is a Spanish CRO that offers comprehensive support in clinical research, from study design to publication of results. BioClever designs, conducts, monitors, and manages clinical trials and observational studies. The company is based in Barcelona and was founded in 2005 by Jordi Cantoni and Mireia Bonet. BioClever has a wide portfolio of tier one clients and credentials and publications of reference in Spain in recent years.


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Atrás

· Private equity experience across Spain, Portugal, UK and Germany.

 

· Previously partner at Sherpa Capital, Spanish Private Equity with > €350m of assets under management (2020) focused on SMEs in Spain and Portugal.

 

· Partner at DPE Deutsche Private Equity, private equity fund targeting SMEs with €1.2bn of assets under management (2017).

 

· Morgan Stanley Capital Partners.

 

· MPA Harvard University, BSc from LSE London School of Economics.

Lars Becker

Partner

· Former EY Strategy and Transactions Analyst, providing corporate finance solutions in strategic advisory, valuation, m&a, financial restructuring and due diligence.

 

· Previous experience at UBS and Deutsche Bank.

 

· Master in Finance from IE Business School.

 

· Double degree in Business Administration and Actuarial Science from URJC.

Daniel Largo
Analyst

· Previously Investment Associate at Sherpa Capital.

 

· Previous experience at BBVA and Amazon.

 

· Master's Degree in Industrial Engineering from ICAI (Universidad Pontificia Comillas)

Pablo Fernández
Associate

· Extensive experience in finance and management control.

 

· Previous experience as CFO and Client Operations Director at Jones Lang Lasalle, Bouygues and Carrefour, proven ability to implement action plans and process reengineering to improve the company performances.

 

· Degree in Business Administration from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and MBA by IE.

Vanesa Valentín
CFO

· João has a strong background in M&A advisory services in the Portuguese and Spanish markets.

 

· João started his career at KPMG Portugal providing corporate finance and M&A advisory services and he has also worked at Alantra´s Credit Portfolio Advisory division. 


· João has a MSc in Management and Finance from Cass Business School and a BSc in Business Administration from Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics.

João Oliveira
Associate

· Extensive private equity experience.

 

· Previously Investment Executive at Sherpa Capital.

 

· Previous experience at Ferrovial and Clearwater.

 

· Business Administration and Management Degree from Universidad de Navarra.

Íñigo Urbón

Director

· Extensive private equity experience.

 

· Previously Investment Associate at Sherpa Capital.

 

· Previous experience at H.I.G. Capital and McKinsey & Company.

 

· Business Administration Degree and MSc in Finance from ESADE Business School.

Jules de Meeûs
Associate

· Extensive private equity experience.

 

· Previously Investment Executive at Sherpa Capital.

 

· Previous experience as an Assistant Manager at Deloitte Corporate Finance, participating in M&A transactions, debt raising and restructuring transactions; and Garrigues, leading Spanish law firm.

 

· Double degree in Law and Business Management (taught in English) from Universidad Pablo de Olavide.

Ricardo Mellado
Vice President