Deutsche Effecten- und Wechsel-Beteiligungsges. AG
bm-t and DEWB acquire majority shareholding in Zenteris
Erfurt/Jena (euro adhoc) -
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merger, acquisition and takeover
bm-t beteiligungsmanagement thüringen gmbh (bm-t), Erfurt and Deutsche Effecten- und Wechsel-Beteiligungsgesellschaft AG (DEWB), Jena took a joint stake in Zenteris GmbH (Zenteris) at the end of July 2007. In an initial round of financing, DEWB, which is listed on the Prime-Standard at the German Stock Exchange, took an indirect stake of approx. 39 percent in the Jena-based company. bm-t acquired approx. 31 percent of the shares. The parties agreed not to disclose details on the volume of the transaction.
Zenteris develops highly specialised technology solutions for identifying biohazardous materials via the optical analysis of samples on a biochip platform. The Approve-B system developed by Zenteris provides for easy and fast handling when screening for various pathogens such as anthrax and plague in a one-step analysis and so can be used for numerous applications in the field of safety and security technology. Against the background of a global increase in the terrorism risk and the use of biotoxins and germ warfare agents, increasing importance is being attached to the Zenteris technology which is not dependent upon costly laboratory diagnostics.
"The results from research and development to date as well as the expertise and sector-related experience of the company´s management in the areas of opto-electronics and biotechnology have impressed bm-t," says Dr. Guido Bohnenkamp giving the reason for bm-t´s commitment to Zenteris. The huge global market potential of this technology was another factor.
For DEWB this investment holding represents a further step in its strategy of focused investment. "In future we will be extensively gearing our investments towards the areas of optics, optical-related technologies and sensor systems. With its optical analysis systems, Zenteris fits in excellent with our target portfolio," says Falk Nuber, Member of the Management Board of DEWB. He is convinced of the growth potential provided by Zenteris. "The technology and market potential of Zenteris offer us the opportunity to participate to a significant extent in the future development of the company with a manageable investment," continues Nuber.
Dr. Claudia Gluch, Managing Director of Zenteris GmbH, emphasises: "Our technologies are also suitable for giving a scientifically sound and precise picture of the composition of biological substances to users who have no deep and detailed technical knowledge of molecular biology. As a result in particular of the increasing safety and security requirements in both the public and private sector, the use of Zenteris products can provide the crucial advantage in the identification and elimination of potential hazard sources. Our technology possesses great potential in a global growth market."
About bm-t The Erfurt-based company bm-t beteiligungsmanagement thüringen gmbh - a subsidiary of the Thüringer Aufbaubank - is the management company for four investment funds in which the Free State of Thuringia is the main shareholder: TI - Thüringer Innovationsfonds, VCT - Venture Capital Thüringen GmbH & Co. KG, TIB - Thüringer Industriebeteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG and PET - Private Equity Thüringen GmbH & Co. KG. bm-t currently manages more than 40 investments in companies in Thuringia, with a fund volume under management totalling approx. 165 million euros.
About DEWB Deutsche Effecten- und Wechsel-Beteiligungsgesellschaft AG (DEWB AG, Prime Standard, Securities No.: 804100 / ISIN: DE0008041005) is an investment company that specialises in young and established medium-sized companies. The focus of our investments is on strong growth companies from the areas of optics, optical-related technologies and sensor systems for which we provide support through shareholders´ equity, expertise in corporate development and our sector network. Our regional focus lies in the German speaking countries (D, A, CH). Since 1997 we have invested more than 300 million Euros in 52 companies and realized more than 400 million Euros through 32 exits, eight of which were in the form of IPOs. The company is located in Jena, one of the most successful technology and science regions in Germany, with a long tradition in the field of optical technologies and one of the most important European centres for Photonics.
About Zenteris Zenteris GmbH is a developer and manufacturer of biophotonic equipment used in the identification of biohazardous substances. As entire solutions, Zenteris products integrate the various links in the identification process chain and offer extremely simple handling with a minimum analysis time. With its Approve-B system platform Zenteris currently has the most advanced technology at its disposal for the immunological or nucleic acid-based identification of various pathogens in a one-step analysis. Zenteris GmbH is a spin-off from JENOPTIK Laser, Optik, Systeme GmbH which in future will hold 24.9 percent of the shares.
end of announcement euro adhoc 08.08.2007 10:47:00
Further inquiry note:
Dr. Guido Bohnenkamp
bm-t gmbh
Phone: +49 (0) 361 7447 610
Fax: +49 (0) 361 7447 635
E-Mail: info@bm-t.com
www.bm-t.com
Mirko Wäckerle
DEWB AG
Phone: +49 (0) 3641 573 3600
Fax: +49 (0) 3641 573 3610
E-Mail: ir@dewb-vc.com
www.dewb-vc.com
Dr. Claudia Gluch
Zenteris GmbH
Phone: +49 (0) 3641 653606
Fax: +49 (0) 3641 652165
E-Mail: info@zenteris.de
www.zenteris.de
Branche: Financial & Business Services
ISIN: DE0008041005
WKN: 804100
Index: CDAX, Classic All Share, Prime All Share
Börsen: Börse Frankfurt / official dealing/prime standard
Börse Berlin / free trade
Börse Stuttgart / free trade
Börse München / free trade