Mérieux NutriSciences sells the European activities of Biofortis to its managing director who will continue its development alongside Institut Mérieux
Mérieux NutriSciences, a world leader in food safety, quality and sustainability, announced the signature of an agreement to sell Biofortis SAS as part of an entrepreneurial project led by Benoît Fouchaq, Managing Director of Biofortis SAS.
Biofortis is a leading European premium CRO specialized in the conduct of observational and interventional clinical studies on nutritional supplements, ingredients, cosmetics and pre and probiotics. Expertise in the study of microbiota accompanies innovative product development projects. Biofortis thus benefits from a strong growth potential and plans to develop new services dedicated to the biotech, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
This sale is in line with Mérieux NutriSciences’ strategy to focus its investments primarily on food and to dedicate its development to this market, in particular to chemistry and new service lines such as food sustainability.
Mérieux NutriSciences will therefore sell the majority of its shares in Biofortis SAS to Mr. Benoît Fouchaq, current Managing Director of Biofortis. Institut Mérieux, a major public health player, has decided to take a minority stake in Biofortis to support its development.
On this occasion, Benoît Fouchaq said: “Thanks to the support of Mérieux NutriSciences since 2009, we have been able to grow and develop new services to secure our growth. Today, I am happy and grateful that Mérieux NutriSciences is encouraging my entrepreneurial project surrounded by an experienced and motivated team. I am also delighted that Institut Mérieux is coming to our side to support this desire to undertake and innovate. “
Philippe Sans, Executive Vice President of Institut Mérieux, added: “Driven by common values and a shared spirit of serving public health, we are pleased to support Biofortis in this new stage of its development. Its microbiome activities in particular and its value-added R&D projects are important advances that we will follow with great interest. “