Gentronix Acquired by Scantox Group in Strategic CRO Expansion

• Gentronix, a UK-based CRO specialising in genetic toxicology, has been acquired by Scantox Group of Denmark.

• The deal provided a £14.8 million exit for Mercia Ventures’ Northern VCTs, marking a 4.5x return on investment.

Gentronix, a contract research organisation (CRO) based in the UK and focused on genetic toxicology, has been acquired by Denmark’s Scantox Group for an undisclosed sum. The deal marks a significant exit for Mercia Ventures’ Northern Venture Capital Trusts (VCTs), which sold their stake in Gentronix for £14.8 million, representing a 4.5x return on investment.

Founded in 1999 by Professor Richard Walmsley, Gentronix provides predictive toxicology services, helping pharmaceutical and chemical companies identify genotoxic compounds in early-stage drug development. The company operates from Alderley Park in Cheshire, employing nearly 70 staff, and saw a surge in revenue with an 81% increase in export sales. Gentronix received the King’s Award for Enterprise earlier this year, after boosting its overseas earnings by 239% over three years.

Following the acquisition, Gentronix will continue operating under its current name and location. The partnership with Scantox will offer new global opportunities, particularly in expanding Scantox’s service offerings. Matt Tate, CEO of Gentronix, said, “Becoming a part of Scantox Group is a fantastic next step for Gentronix, opening up unique possibilities for us to offer an even greater service portfolio to our clients.”

Jeanet Løgsted, CEO of Scantox, highlighted the value of the acquisition: “Genetic toxicology is a missing link in our portfolio, and Gentronix’s service line and culture fit perfectly with our DNA.”