Ejby, 9 September 2024 — Today Scantox, together with its majority owner Impilo, finalized the acquisition of Gentronix Ltd, a UK based GLP compliant genetic toxicology Contract Research Organization (“CRO”).
Gentronix, now integrated into Scantox Group, is well recognized for its high-quality genetic toxicology services and strong scientific engagement, with an undisputed track record of serving a loyal and broad global customer base. With the acquisition of Gentronix, Scantox’s service platform expands significantly to meet client demands as a market leading CRO to support pre-IND enabling studies.
For 25 years, Gentronix has provided genetic toxicology solutions to the global pharma, biotech and agrichem industries; enabling clients to optimize their development programs by enabling early identification of genotoxic compounds and supporting late-stage development phases with GLP studies. Gentronix offers a comprehensive portfolio of screening and regulatory genotoxicity assays and services, not least the OECD 488 Big Blue® Transgenic Rodent Mutation assay, as one of only three global providers. Further, Gentronix has expertise and services within ocular and skin toxicology endpoints.
Founded in 1999 by Prof. Richard Walmsely, Gentronix is located within the North West UK at the Alderley Park and employs close to 70 employees after a significant scale-up over the past 5 years.
“I am thrilled that Scantox Group has been able to partner up with Gentronix. Genetic toxicology is a missing link in our portfolio and frequently requested by our clients to become a one-stop-shop premier CRO partner. Gentronix´s service line, client base, high quality standards and not least people culture fits perfectly with our DNA. Our business plan is to continuously expand our service portfolio across all sites and add scientific excellence to the Group,” says Jeanet Løgsted, CEO of Scantox Group.
Matt Tate, CEO of Gentronix, adds: “Becoming a part of Scantox Group is a fantastic next step for Gentronix, opening up unique possibilities for us to offer an even greater service portfolio to our clients. As an organization we look forward to collaborating with our new colleagues and continuing to support the delivery of world-leading contract research services to our customers. There is a strong strategic rationale in teaming up with Scantox and we have identified multiple commercial synergies”.
Gentronix Ltd will continue to operate under the current company name, expanding its service offering within specialist regulatory toxicology. With this acquisition the Scantox Group will employ more than 400 people across seven European sites offering first in class lead optimization, regulatory toxicology and CMC (Chemical, Manufacturing, Controls), formulation and analytical services.
Nicholas Hooge, Partner at Impilo, concludes, “We are thrilled to welcome Gentronix into the Scantox group and see significant growth opportunities for the combined business going forward. 2024 is in many ways a transformational year for Scantox and this acquisition represents another important milestone in reaching Scantox’ strategic ambitions.”
For further information, please contact:
Jeanet Løgsted, CEO of Scantox, +45 5686 1500, jln@scantox.com
Matt Tate, Managing Director of Gentronix, part of Scantox Group +44 (0)7531978861, matthew.tate@gentronix.co.uk
In photo: Jeanet Løgsted and Matt Tate
About Scantox:
Scantox is a leading preclinical CRO, headquartered in Denmark with subsidiaries in Sweden, Austria and in Denmark, and with operating business units being Discovery, Regulatory Toxicology, and Pharmaceutical Development & Analytical. Based on decades of experience, the company is a trusted partner for product development services within the pharmaceutical, biotech and medical devices industries, with a world known expertise within the CNS field as well as experience in using the Göttingen minipigs for research purposes. The company’s services enable clients to progress their drug or device development based on solid data to the highest technical and scientific standards. Founded in 1977, Scantox is today owned by Impilo, the leading Nordic healthcare investment company.
About Gentronix:
Gentronix is a specialist CRO focused on delivering genetic, skin and ocular toxicology products & services to global pharma, biotech and agrichem industries. Working with companies from early screening through to regulatory safety assessment, we deliver innovative solutions to support development of safer medicines and chemicals.
About Impilo:
Impilo is a Nordic investment company with a sole focus on investments in healthcare companies operating in the pharmaceutical, medtech, specialist pharma services, healthcare services and other health related areas. Our starting point is that our portfolio companies must contribute to positive and sustainable development of the societies and markets in which they operate in order to remain successful in the long term. Founded in 2017, Impilo manages approximately EUR 1 billion in capital from leading Nordic and international investors. Since its inception, Impilo has been the most active investment firm in the Nordic healthcare sector, with its other Danish investments including tandlægen.dk, Lowenco and Qufora. Impilo has offices in Copenhagen and Stockholm.