William Blair acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Isobionics, in connection with its sale to BASF SE (XTRA:BAS). The transaction closed on September 25, 2019.
Transaction Highlights
- Deep relationships and sector expertise: Isobionics recognized William Blair's extensive knowledge and transaction experience advising biotech- and biopharma-led companies, as well as our deep relationships with likely global strategic acquirers.
- Highly strategic transaction: The acquisition of Isobionics strengthens BASF's biotechnology footprint and capabilities within the flavor & fragrance (F&F) market, specifically allowing them to enter the natural F&F ingredients market. With a broader natural product portfolio, BASF intends to advance the technology for biotech-based aroma ingredients by combining its own R&D excellence and broad market access, with the know-how and expertise of Isobionics.
- Execution excellence: William Blair was integrally involved in each step of the transaction, negotiating key deal terms and facilitating due diligence with several strategic acquirers.
About the Companies
Isobionics is a leading biotechnology company, which employs a unique biologics manufacturing technology platform focusing on development and fermentative production of natural ingredients. With its product offering, Isobionics serves the $4 billion global natural essential oils market. Isobionics' customer base consists of the most prestigious names in the F&F market, supplying a range of products used in the citrus market – the two most notable being Valencene and Nootkatone – as well as other products used in the aroma market, such as Sandalwood and Patchouli oil. Based in The Netherlands, Isobionics was founded in 2008, when it was spun-off from DSM.
BASF is a German chemical company and the largest chemical producer in the world. BASF's portfolio is organized into six segments: chemicals, materials, industrial solutions, surface technologies, nutrition & care, and agricultural solutions. BASF nutrition & care provides a comprehensive product and service portfolio for the human and animal nutrition, pharmaceutical, ethanol and flavor & fragrance industries. BASF is based in Ludwigshafen, Germany.
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