Back to transactions

Merger Vision advised founders on the sale of 100% shares in NEOX s.r.o., one of the largest independent central European contract research organisations, to a US-based strategic partner

Sector
Contract Research Organization
Target company
NEOX s.r.o.
Seller
Two brothers, company founders
Buyer
The Emmes Company, LLC
Our role
Advisory to sellers
Transaction size
Undisclosed
Year
2020

Based in Prague, NEOX operates primarily in central and eastern Europe, with a direct presence in the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. The company operates in 11 European countries, including a newly established branch in the United Kingdom. Founded in 2004 by brothers Dr Pavel Marek and Petr Marek, NEOX has provided clinical research support for more than 1,000 studies and has built deep experience across multiple therapeutic areas.

Emmes, founded in 1977, is a U.S. full-service clinical research organisation (CRO). The company’s clients include numerous agencies and institutes of the U.S. federal government and a wide range of biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device companies worldwide. Emmes operates from its two strategic business groups: Emmes BioPharma and Emmes Public Sector. Neox will be part of Emmes BioPharma, adding over 150 employees with long-term experience supporting sponsor-financed clinical studies. The acquisition will establish a direct presence in Europe for Emmes and expand its customer base and capabilities to conduct global trials at sites across the US, Canada, UK, EU, and India. Total number of employees at Emmes will grow to over 1,000 globally.

Merger Vision acted as exclusive M&A advisor to founding brothers while facing interest in NEOX from numerous parties. In a cash and share transaction with Emmes, both founders became shareholders in the U.S. parent company. At the same time, they both decided to remain with NEOX and support the group’s development in their leadership roles.

  • Merger Vision initially contacted us five years before the sale of the NEOX group, which we built as a family business from the beginning. Their advisory team convinced us with their understanding of our industry, detailed knowledge of the ongoing global consolidation, and personal contacts with several potential investors for our company. Thanks to their initiative, we held confidential meetings with several potential bidders and received written offers from investors from Europe, Asia and the USA. After several years of careful consideration, we selected a strategic partner from the USA for NEOX, supported by a strong financial PE partner. NEOX has become a platform for our new strategic partner’s expansion into other European countries.

    Pavel Marek and Petr Marek, NEOX s.r.o.

    founders of the company

Back to transactions