M & A

Bechtle: buy-up fever

TecDax listed Bechtle AG, is acquiring Planet Software-Vertrieb & Consulting GmbH (Planet Software) in a move that will bolster its portfolio and also its presence in Austria. Planet Software is based in Vienna and it specializes in 3D CAD plotting software. In the last financial year, the company and its staff of 36 achieved a turnover in excess of 7 million Euros. The deal is still pending approval by the antitrust authority, and neither party has revealed the value or the conditions of the transaction.

IT service provider Bechtle is setting its sights on further growth by acquisition; its  board of directors is aiming for a turnover of 5 thousand million Euros by 2020. The group saw a first-quarter increase in turnover of 11 percent over last year and an increase in staff. Bechtle now employs 6000 people.

Compugroup: IT in French

Compugroup Medical AG, supplier of IT systems to the medical profession is acquiring the French group Imagine Group. The transaction was paid for in cash and 105,000 shares the value of which has not been made known. Imagine’s speciality is software for doctors’ surgeries, and it posted a turnover last year of  some 7.2 million Euros. This acquisition will enable Compugrup, a small-mid size TexDax listed company, to double its users in France. Furthermore, its board of directors has made it known that while perfectly dovetailing Compugroup’s current portfolio, Imagine’s software will be managed as a self-standing business unit.

Medigene: developing anti-cancer drugs

Medigene, the prime standard listed bio-tech concern based in Munich has acquired Trianta Immunotherapies GmbH, a spin-off of Helmholtz Zentrum, also of Munich. The former partners of Trianta will receive a package of Medigene shares worth some 4 million Euros.  In addition, the parties have agreed on a progressive payment of up to 5.8 million Euros – in cash or in shares – if the agreed target milestones are reached. The new stock issued by the use of authorized capital is subordinate to a 12-month prohibition of sale.

Medigene’s intention is for Trianta’s three platform immunotherapy to strengthen its pipeline. The programmes are needed to develop new therapeutic approaches in the treatment of a variety of tumours. Medigene is already marketing one product and has another two active ingredients at the testing stage.

Trianta’s present managing director will soon join the Medigene board of directors as head of R&D.