Europa Biosite makes strategic acquisition of AMSBIO specialist life sciences supplier
Two prominent European biospecimen and life sciences companies have combined to strengthen research capabilities across Europe and North America, marking significant expansion in biospecimen services and stem cell research sectors.
AMSBIO UK team with (in front row) Sune Schmølker, CEO of Europa Biosite, and Alex Sim, CEO of AMSBIO.
Europa Biosite has announced its acquisition of AMSBIO, the Oxford-based life sciences product supplier, in a move that substantially enhances the group’s capabilities in biospecimen services and stem cell research. The merger brings together AMSBIO’s extensive biorepository of human and animal specimens with Europa Biosite’s established human blood biospecimen service, creating a comprehensive research resource for the life sciences sector.
AMSBIO, which maintains offices in the United States and the Netherlands alongside its UK headquarters, brings 37 years of specialist expertise to the Europa Biosite group. The company has built a strong reputation in several key research areas, including glycobiology, molecular biology, and 3D cell culture. Their work has been cited in more than 7,500 scientific publications, underlining their significant contribution to life sciences research.
The acquisition specifically strengthens Europa Biosite’s position in three rapidly expanding research domains: biospecimens, stem cell research, and regenerative medicine. Additionally, it provides the group with enhanced access to the strategically important US market.
Europa Biosite’s acquisition of AMSBIO follows a period of remarkable growth, with the group reporting a five-fold increase in sales over the previous five years. The expansion adds AMSBIO’s 30-strong workforce to Europa Biosite’s existing team of 150 employees across 16 European countries.
Alex Sim, founder of AMSBIO, explained the decision to join Europa Biosite: “We were in dialogue with several potential buyers and selected Europa Biosite due to it being the strongest partner to continue the growth and development of the company I founded 37 years ago. Europa Biosite has proven itself to be a leader within our industry, and we are eager to continue this journey together.”
Integration and leadership
The integration will see Sim join Europa Biosite’s Group Leadership Team, bringing his extensive industry experience to the expanded organisation. Sune Schmolker, CEO of Europa Biosite, commented: “I am immensely proud to lead Europa Biosite in bringing together best-in-class life science companies with our mission to raise the standard of life science distribution. We look forward to welcoming AMSBIO’s colleagues to Europa Biosite.”
Enhanced product portfolio
The combined entity now offers an expanded catalogue of over 5 million products. Europa Biosite’s existing network includes several established distribution companies: Biomol in Germany, Cambridge Bioscience in the UK and Ireland, LubioScience in Switzerland, Nordic Biosite in the Nordics and Baltics, Sanbio in Benelux, and Szabo-Scandic in Austria.
This strategic consolidation strengthens the European life sciences distribution network whilst maintaining specialised expertise in critical research areas. The financial terms of the transaction have not been disclosed., but the merger positions the expanded group to better serve the growing demands of life science researchers across Europe and North America.
