Copenhagen, Denmark-based Novo Holdings announced that it has agreed to acquire Benchmark Genetics, a Bergen, Norway-based fish genetics company, from Benchmark Holdings plc for an enterprise value of up to £260M.
Led by CEO Trond Williksen, Benchmark is an aquaculture biotechnology company that specializes in salmonid genetics, providing eggs and other genetic services to both traditional and land-based farmers, operating across Norway, Iceland and Faroe Islands, Chile, and other major geographies.
The company’s core genetics offering drives resource-efficiency in fish and shrimp farming by addressing key production challenges including growth rates, feed conversion and disease resistance. By combining its long-established breeding programs and the latest genomic tools, Benchmark Genetics help aquaculture producers increase quality, yield, health, and animal welfare.
The company has customers in more than 50 countries and employs 270 people globally.
The transaction is aligned with the Novo Holdings Planetary Health Investment team’s strategic focus on aquaculture technology to drive growth, innovation, and sustainability, complementing the recent investment in Stingray Marine Solutions.
FinSMEs
25/11/2024