Ceres Pharma acquires Belgian Kela Pharma
Press Release
Sint-Denijs-Westrem, 16 December 2024
Hoogstraten, 16 December 2024
Ceres Pharma NV, a Belgian based pharmaceutical company, active in Women and Family Healthcare, and Kela NV, a Belgian family-owned pharmaceutical company, announce that Kela Pharma (the Human Health Division of Kela NV), has been acquired by Ceres Pharma.
The acquisition of Kela Pharma is an important step in the execution of Ceres Pharma’s strategy to build an important position in Women and Family Healthcare in Europe and strengthens Ceres Pharma's position in Belgium.
Kela Pharma is a leading pharmaceutical company specializing in the development and distribution of prescription and OTC drugs, qualitative food supplements and medical devices in Belux. Its product portfolio is notably centered around folic acid-based solutions, available as both drugs and food supplements. Among its flagship brands is Folavit®, the leading folic acid brand in Belux, renowned for supporting active lifestyles and promoting well-being during pregnancy or ageing. Other key offerings in Kela Pharma's diverse portfolio include Hyalo 4, Arlevertan, Diphantoïne and Penicillin. In 2023 Kela Pharma achieved a turnover of 10.5 million euros. Kela Pharma will be integrated into Ceres Pharma Belgium.
Kela NV will continue to focus on developing and executing its strategy for the Animal Health Division and CDMO as a stand-alone company. Kela will also continue to manufacture the Human Health products for Ceres Pharma.
"I am pleased that we have successfully reached an agreement with the owners of Kela Pharma. This acquisition aligns seamlessly with Ceres Pharma’s strategy to strengthen our position as a key player in Women and Family Healthcare in Europe. We identify significant synergies with our Belgian Women’s Health Division and our global GlobiFer business, where we hold a strong foothold in gynecology. Additionally, Kela Pharma's portfolio complements our Family Health operations in Italy and beyond", says Mario Debel, CEO of Ceres Pharma.
“We have selected Ceres Pharma as the ideal partner to further grow and expand the Human Health Division. We remain committed to executing our ambitious growth strategy in Animal Health to manufacture and sell products in more than 80 countries, as well as to produce sterile products for third parties”, says Pascal Beyens, CEO of Kela NV.
About Kela
Kela is a Belgian family-owned pharmaceutical company founded in 1941. Kela develops, manufactures and markets pharmaceutical products and provides services for veterinary and human use. KELA is active in developing and manufacturing sterile injectables (both suspensions and solutions), intramammary products, powders, oral liquids and tablets. Kela has production sites in Belgium, China and Algeria and distribution companies in Belgium, the UK, Ireland, Mexico and China.
About Ceres Pharma
Ceres Pharma is a dynamic and fast growing, Belgian based, pharmaceutical company, founded in 2017 by Mario Debel and Alychlo and acquired in 2021 by Naxicap Partners. It is the ambition of Naxicap and the founder and CEO Mario Debel to grow Ceres Pharma through the development of its own product portfolio as well as through acquisitions. Ceres Pharma is active in the development and distribution of drugs, medical devices, biocides, cosmetics, qualitative food supplements and pharmaceutical preparations in Belgium, Italy and in Central and Eastern Europe.
About Naxicap Partners
As one of the top private equity firms in France, Naxicap Partners - an affiliate of Natixis Investment Managers - has €6.1 billion in assets under management as of 31 December 2023. As a committed, responsible investor, Naxicap Partners builds solid, constructive partnerships with entrepreneurs so that their projects can succeed. The firm has more than 100 investment professionals spread across six offices in Paris, Lyon, Toulouse, Nantes, Frankfurt and Zurich.