M&A

Finnish health and social care provider Mehiläinen has agreed to acquire Eastern European healthcare companies Regina Maria and MediGroup.

Alongside that deal Mehiläinen has also attracted investment from Hellman & Friedman (H&F), which becomes the company’s second major investor, adding to the existing relationship it formed with private equity firm CVC Funds in 2018.

These developments form part of Mehiläinen’s international growth strategy, which focuses on expanding both in Finland and in international markets.

Janne-Olli Järvenpää, chief executive officer of Mehiläinen, said: “Regina Maria is one of the fastest-growing and highest-quality healthcare service providers in Europe, led by some of the best professionals in the field. We have closely followed the company's development for years, and we are truly delighted with the opportunity to partner up with Regina Maria’s management following this acquisition.

“Regina Maria’s sister company MediGroup is also a leading player in its market with excellent quality. I am also delighted to welcome H&F, who brings significant global healthcare sector expertise, alongside CVC.”

Regina Maria is a private healthcare company in Romania offering multi-specialty outpatient healthcare and hospital services. Notably, it is a leader in healthcare digitalisation in Romania.

Meanwhile, its sister company, MediGroup, is a service provider in Serbia’s private healthcare market and has a network healthcare centres, polyclinics, hospitals, diagnostic centres and laboratories.

Fady Chreih, CEO of Regina Maria and chair of the board of MediGroup, stated: “We are honoured that the largest healthcare provider in Finland, with over a century of medical experience, recognises the potential of the medical market in Romania and Serbia.

“This investment reflects Mehiläinen Group’s confidence in the economic development of the region and marks an extremely significant chapter in our network’s history. We are excited to step into this new stage, where we aim, together, to transform the European landscape of private healthcare, relying on strong management teams and an integrated vision.”