AMSTERDAM, October 22 /PRNewswire/ --
- Not for release, distribution or publication into or in the United
States, Australia, Canada and Japan.
- Positive Results With Next Generation Biofuels Trigger IPO Plans
Avantium, a leading technology company in the area of advanced
high-throughput R&D, announces its intention to raise new funds through an
initial public offering (the "IPO") and to apply for a listing on Eurolist by
Euronext Amsterdam. Avantium intends to complete the IPO of its shares before
the end of the year, subject to market conditions.
Avantium, established as a spin-off from Royal Dutch Shell in 2000, has
developed advanced high-throughput R&D technology. Its proprietary technology
enables the company to conduct many automated experiments in parallel on a
very small scale, providing fast and cost effective research at superior
success rates. Avantium has demonstrated the validity and commercial
viability of its unique, patented technology and expertise by providing R&D
services and tools to its clients in the energy, chemicals and pharmaceutical
industries. The company services more than 70 companies worldwide, including
many market leaders such as BP, Royal Dutch Shell, Sasol, Pfizer, Boehringer
Ingelheim and GlaxoSmithKline.
Building on its track record and proven technology, Avantium plans to
raise funds through an IPO to further grow its business by advancing its
exciting product development programs in the fields of next generation
biofuels and improved forms of existing drugs. Avantium achieved a key
milestone by a successful proof-of-concept engine test of the company's
next-generation, proprietary biofuel. Avantium released more details of its
biofuels program today in a separate press release.
Tom van Aken, CEO of Avantium: "Through the support of our shareholders,
Avantium has established a strong position in high-throughput R&D technology
as proven by our blue-chip customer base. We are ready for the next step and
intend to secure capital to finance our product development programs in the
areas of biofuels and in improved crystal forms of existing drugs. The public
offering will enable us to further realise our growth strategy and increase
our visibility as an innovative company with a strong focus on renewable
solutions."
Fortis has been appointed as global coordinator and bookrunner. The IPO
is expected to take place before the end of the year and to consist solely of
primary shares.
Profile Avantium
Avantium is a leading technology company in the area of advanced
high-throughput R&D operating in the energy, chemicals and pharmaceutical
industries. The company develops products and processes in the area of
biofuels, bio-based chemicals and novel crystal forms of existing drugs by
applying its proprietary, high-throughput R&D technology. Avantium has
demonstrated the potential of this technology by providing R&D services and
tools to more than 70 companies worldwide, including many of the world's
largest energy, chemicals and pharmaceutical companies. Avantium has
approximately 100 employees; its offices and head quarters are based in
Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
www.avantium.com
This announcement is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer
to buy the securities of Avantium (the "Company", and such securities, the
"Securities") in the United States or in any other jurisdiction.
The Securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S.
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and may not be
offered or sold in the United States unless registered under the Securities
Act or an exemption from such registration is available. No public offering
of Securities of the Company is being made in the United States.
This communication is directed at and distributed only to (i) persons
outside the United Kingdom, or (ii) persons having professional experience in
matters relating to investments who fall within the definition of "investment
professionals" in Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act
2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 or (iii) high net worth companies,
unincorporated associations and partnerships and trustees of high value
trusts as described in Article 49(2) of the Financial Services and Markets
Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005. Any investment or investment
activity to which this communication relates is available only to and will be
engaged in only with such persons. This communication is confidential and is
provided to recipients on a personal basis and must not be transferred or
assigned or otherwise acted on or relied upon by persons within the United
Kingdom who receive this communication (other than persons falling within
(ii) and (iii) above).
This announcement does not constitute a prospectus. The offer to acquire
securities pursuant to the proposed offering will be made, and any investor
should make his investment, solely on the basis of information that will be
contained in the prospectus to be made generally available in The Netherlands
in connection with such offering. When made generally available, copies of
the prospectus may be obtained at no cost from Fortis through the website of
NYSE Euronext Amsterdam and the website of the Company (Dutch residents
only).
Avantium Technologies B.V.
