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CEDEX and CASY – two strong brands are coming together
1. December 2006
Innovatis AG, Bielefeld, and Schärfe System GmbH, Reutlingen, jointly announce:
Founded in 1995, innovatis AG ranks among the leading suppliers of systems solutions for process analytics in biotechnology. With the development of the CEDEX automated cell analyzer, innovatis AG early on recognized the market requirements of the future and revolutionized the manual cell counting process previously established in the market. The Cedex, based on an image recognition measurement procedure using the Trypan blue method to determine viability, is now internationally recognized as the “Gold Standard” for cell counting in both biotechnology and R&D within the pharmaceutical industry. Innovatis AG continues to make strategic market adjustments through the constant expansion of their product portfolio. With three main locations in Germany, the U.S.A. and Asia, as well as more than 20 sales partners world-wide, innovatis AG guarantees the necessary close proximity to customers and, thus, short response times in a worldwide market.
Schärfe System GmbH, founded in 1987, has likewise developed and sold a recognized standard for quality control in cell biology with their CASY system technology. These systems have, in particular, consolidated their application within the area of basic research. The products available under the brand name of CASY offer a complete line of equipment in themselves: from electronic cell counters/size determiners to cell analyzers that conform to GMP/21 CFR 11 standards, with integrated workstations for complete cell culture control and documentation. Consumables, accessories and user software also guarantee optimal results and security for the customer.
From December 1, 2006, the activities of both brands will be managed under the roof of innovatis AG.
The Ventizz Capital Fund II L.P., the majority shareholder of innovatis AG, will support this process with further increases in capital. Reinhard Löchner, Managing Partner of Ventizz and member of the supervisory board of innovatis: “With this strategic merger, innovatis AG is expanding its market leadership in the area of cell culture analysis and establishing itself as a stronger and reliable partner for customers in every area from university research to big pharma”.
Ralph Martinke, CEO of innovatis AG, adds: “With the integration of CASY technologies within our product range, we are in the position of being able to offer our customers a greater range of products and services from one source. We will be able to market different technologies for the automatic analysis and screening of all types of cell cultures in the future, from animal and vegetable cells to yeast and bacteria, all optimized with regard to customer applications and budget. Customers, whom we could not reach up to this point, can also now profit from our many years of experience in the areas of quality management and data integration. The advantage innovatis AG has as a system consultant lies in the holistic view of the chain of processes – integrated solutions for better efficiency and security. “
Karin B. Schärfe, Managing Partner of Schärfe System GmbH, and future member of the board of innovatis AG: “It will be increasingly important to be able to offer individual solutions for the different, and in the future increasingly global, requirements of research, process development and production. With CASY and CEDEX technologies, as well as the competence of both companies, innovatis AG will be able to offer these solutions as a specialist for biopharmaceutical analytics to partners and customers world-wide.
About Ventizz Capital Partners:
Ventizz Capital Partners Advisory AG, established in Düsseldorf in 2000, is a private equity firm and is advising funds, which are investing in small and medium sized high-tech companies with exceptional growth opportunities in Western Europe. The three Managing Partners of Ventizz, Dr. Helmut Vorndran, Reinhard Löchner and Willi Mannheims, are currently advising three funds with a total capital under management of €220 million. To date, Ventizz has invested in 25 companies in high-tech engineering, IT/software and medical devices.
For further information please contact:
innovatis AG
Sabine Stollmann
Corporate Marketing Manager
Meisenstr. 96
D 33607 Bielefeld
sabine.stollmann@innovatis.com
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