Novo Holdings, on 25 November 2024, announced that it has agreed to acquire the Norwegian fish genetics company Benchmark Genetics from Benchmark Holdings plc for an enterprise value of up to £260 million.
Headquartered in Bergen, Norway, Benchmark Genetics is a leader in salmonid genetics, providing eggs and other genetic services to both traditional and land-based farmers, operating across Norway, Iceland & Faroe Islands, Chile, and other major geographies.
The Company’s core genetics offering drives resource-efficiency in fish and shrimp farming by addressing key production challenges including growth rates, feed conversion and disease resistance. By combining its long-established breeding programs and the latest genomic tools, Benchmark Genetics help aquaculture producers increase quality, yield, health, and animal welfare.
The Company has customers in more than 50 countries and employs 270 people globally.
The transaction is aligned with the Novo Holdings Planetary Health Investment team’s strategic focus on aquaculture technology to drive growth, innovation, and sustainability, complementing the recent investment in Stingray Marine Solutions.
Aleks Engel, Partner, Planetary Health Investments, Novo Holdings, said:”We are very pleased to announce plans to acquire the Benchmark Genetics business from Benchmark Holdings. Both animal and plant genetics hold immense potential to transform the global food industry, enabling more efficient and sustainable ways to feed a growing population. In particular, advancements in aquaculture genetics, such as those in the salmon industry, present significant opportunities to improve productivity, resilience, and environmental outcomes.”
Johan Hueffer, Senior Partner, Principal Investments, Novo Holdings, added:”The investment in Benchmark Genetics provides us with increased exposure to the salmon industry, which benefits from highly attractive underlying dynamics. Further it represents an opportunity to support a leading animal genetics platform with global ambitions. Partnering with an experienced management team, we are confident in the company’s ability to drive meaningful advancements in this field. At Novo Holdings we are excited to leverage our industry experience and extensive network to help realise the company’s full potential and contribute to sustainable growth in the aquaculture sector.”
Trond Williksen, CEO of Benchmark, continued: “I am very pleased to have signed an agreement to sell our Genetics business to Novo Holdings. Benchmark Genetics is a leading aquaculture genetics business with great potential and Novo Holdings is an excellent owner to take the business forward.”
Geir Olav Melingen, Head of Benchmark Genetics, concluded: “I am very excited about the future of our business. We have a great opportunity ahead and look forward to continuing our journey with Novo Holdings bringing solutions to the aquaculture industry to improve productivity, resilience and sustainability.”
Transaction highlights
- Initial consideration of £230 million
- Additional contingent consideration of up to £30 million based on certain revenue thresholds
- Completion is expected during the first quarter of 2025 subject to shareholder approval and receipt of customary regulatory clearances
- Shareholders representing approximately 71% of the issued ordinary share capital of Benchmark have irrevocably agreed to vote in favour of the transaction
PJT Partners are acting as financial advisor to Novo Holdings. Latham & Watkins are acting as legal advisor to Novo Holdings.
For similar news, please refer to
Invitae welcomes Robert Guigley as Chief Commercial Officer
InterAx Biotech Appoints Mark Levick, MD, Ph.D. As New DOB
