Alantra advises the shareholders of Centrovet on the sale of their remaining 34% stake to Virbac

Nov 2021

Sell-side advisory

Value $47.4 million

Santiago de Chile –  Alantra, the global investment banking and asset management specialist, is pleased to announce that it has advised the shareholders of Centrovet (“the Company”), a leader in the aquaculture and animal health sectors in Chile, on the sale of their remaining 34% stake to Virbac, the sixth-largest animal health global company. The transaction had a total consideration of $47.4 million, increasing Virbac’s stake in Centrovet to 100%.

Established in 1979 by the Farcas family, Centrovet is involved in the research and development of vaccines and pharmaceutical products to improve animal health. Centrovet’s products are sold in Chile and other countries in Latin America, Europe and Asia. The Company is a leader in the aquaculture and animal health industry and is the second-largest producer of salmon vaccines in Chile, the world´s second-largest producer of farmed salmon after Norway. In 2012, Centrovet entered into a strategic partnership with Virbac, with the Farcas family actively involved in the Company’s development. 

Virbac is one of the first independent global laboratories dedicated exclusively to animal health. It was founded in 1968 by veterinarian Pierre-Richard Dick and after 50 years of activity, Virbac has become an international reference in the animal health sector. Virbac has 33 subsidiaries around the world and its products are marketed in more than 100 countries, ranking in sixth place in the world ranking of veterinary pharmaceutical laboratories.

This transaction will enable Virbac to consolidate its position in aquaculture, supported by Centrovet’s industrial footprint and R&D infrastructure in Chile.

Alantra also acted as financial advisor to the shareholders of Centrovet on the initial sale of a 51% stake in the Company to Virbac in 2012.

“We are proud to have advised the shareholders of Centrovet again, this time on the sale of their remaining minority stake of the Company to Virbac, an investment that will strengthen Virbac’s position in the aquaculture segment,” said Julio Cardenal, Managing Partner at Alantra.