Biocatalysts Ltd–BRAIN Biotech: investment, 202105 acquisition addit 16.7% for £3.9m bringing total to 82.2% with 2 put options excercised

	Period	2021-05-12
	Predecessor	Biocatalysts Ltd–BRAIN Biotech: investment, 201803 acquisition of majority stake in Biocatalysts Ltd by BRAIN AG
	Money taker	Biocatalysts Ltd.
	Group	BRAIN Biotech (Group)
	Money source	BRAIN Biotech AG
	Group	BRAIN Biotech (Group)
	Product	industrial enzyme
	Product 2	food ingredient

BRAIN Biotech AG. (5/12/21). "Press Release: BRAIN Biotech AG Expands Stake in Successful Enzyme Producer Biocatalysts Ltd.". Zwingenberg.

> BRAIN has acquired additional shares in Biocatalysts Ltd.

> Biocatalysts strong business trend

> Planned additional capacity expansion now targeted earlier

BRAIN Biotech AG has expanded its shareholdings in the successful enzyme producer Biocatalysts Ltd., Wales, to 82.2% by the purchase of additional shares from minority shareholders. Due to the strong business performance at Biocatalysts Ltd. current production capacity will be fully utilised although only coming on stream in early 2021. The 2nd phase of expansion is planned to be accelerated as a result.

BRAIN Biotech AG has purchased an additional 16.7% in Biocatalysts Ltd. as two minority shareholders have exercised their put option rights. BRAIN now holds a total of 82.2% (previously 65.55%) in the daughter company. The purchase price was GBP 3.9 million.

Biocatalysts is a global biotechnology company producing speciality enzymes at commercial scales for a variety of industries, including food, flavour, life science, and pharma. Biocatalysts offers both off-the-shelf enzyme products as well as customised enzyme discovery, development and manufacturing service. The company has grown strongly over the last years and the business generates solid profitability. In recent years, BRAIN has invested into the large scale fermentation capacities at Biocatalysts to pave the way for future growth and even stronger profitability. The business has demonstrated strength throughout the Corona pandemic and Brexit.

Rod Sears Black, MD Biocatalysts Ltd., says: “We're happy about the confidence shown by BRAIN and the continued support from the group. Our strong market position in the production and distribution of enzymes combined with BRAIN’s deep scientific base is a winning combination.”

Adriaan Moelker, CEO BRAIN Biotech AG, states: “We are very satisfied with the growth rate and the business performance of the Biocatalysts team in Cardiff. It has been our stated intention to further strengthen the products business at BRAIN and Biocatalysts is at the centre of this strategy. The recently increased large scale fermentation capacity has triggered fast expansion of the business and we now look to accelerate further with our investment into additional production capacities. We will start a pre-engineering phase soon.”

Lukas Linnig, CFO at BRAIN Biotech AG comments: “The execution of put option rights by two minority Biocatalysts shareholders has allowed us to increase our holding in this highly profitable daughter company. The earlier exercise is at more favorable terms for BRAIN which will allow us to release around EUR 3.0 million of provisional debt from our balance sheet and further strengthen our equity base. We ultimately aim to gain full ownership of Biocatalyts so we welcome the exercise of the put options. In addition, the ongoing buyout of minority shareholders will allow us to crystalize synergies within our BioIndustrial segment.”

About BRAIN

BRAIN Biotech AG (“BRAIN”) is a leading European specialist in industrial biotechnology. As a technology provider and developer of bio-based products and solutions for nutrition, health and the environment, the company supports the biologization of industry and contributes to a more sustainable economy. BRAIN is the parent company of the BRAIN Group. Two pillars form BRAIN Group's business: The BioScience segment includes contract research for renowned industrial partners as well as an incubator for the development of the company's own highly innovative products. In the BioIndustrial segment, the company focuses on specialty business in the production and refinement of enzymes, microorganisms and bioactive natural products and the respective distribution.

The BRAIN Group maintains its own diverse collection of natural resources: the BRAIN Bioarchive comprises microorganisms, genetic material and natural substances. Based on this collection and with a comprehensive technology portfolio, BRAIN addresses technological challenges and develops bio-based products and solutions that are already successfully employed in the industry. The BRAIN Group has its own production facilities in Germany, UK and the US, which together with the associated biotechnological production expertise, complete the value chain within the Group.

Since its IPO in 2016, BRAIN Biotech AG has been listed in the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ISIN DE0005203947 / WKN 520394).

Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements reflect the current views, expectations, and assumptions of the management of BRAIN Biotech AG, and are based on information currently available to the management. Forward-looking statements are no guarantees of future performance, and entail both known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Numerous factors exist that could influence the future performance by, and future developments at, BRAIN Biotech AG and the BRAIN Group. Such factors include, but are not limited to, changes in the general economic and competitive environment, risks associated with capital markets, currency exchange rate fluctuations, changes in international and national laws and regulations, in particular with respect to tax laws and regulations, as well as other factors. BRAIN Biotech AG does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

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