The Catalan company Vytrus Biotech, a manufacturer of active ingredients derived from plant stem cells for the cosmetics sector, is preparing its listing on the alternative stock market BME Growth, as a mechanism to obtain high liquidity that will allow it to face future growth.
The decision was made after successfully closing a financing round of 2.4 million euros and registering significant growth last year, with a turnover of 2.8 million euros, which represents a 65% improvement in business volume over 2020. In addition, currently, 65% of the company's sales come from exports to more than 30 countries.
The company's incorporation into BME Growth will also provide an objective valuation of the firm's shares, "which could be a reference for potential future corporate operations," according to Albert Jané, CEO and co-founder of Vytrus, along with Òscar Expósito.
The company's intention is to debut on BME Growth in the listing modality without placement, with GVC Gaesco Valors as registered advisor and liquidity provider, and Garrigues and IMB Grup as legal advisors, awaiting BME Growth's approval for incorporation into the alternative market.
The Catalan biotechnology company has been operating for 12 years in the hands of its creators, biotechnologist and biochemist Albert Jané, and Óscar Expósito, biologist and PhD in plant biotechnology. Both currently control 40% of the company. With a staff of 28 employees, Vytrus Biotech has its headquarters and production in 1,400 square meter facilities in Terrassa (Barcelona).
Vytrus specializes in the development, production, and commercialization of active ingredients derived from plant stem cells for the cosmetic and dermatological industry and for the healthcare sector. Òscar Expósito states that, in line with its specialization, incorporation into the alternative stock market can be a great catalyst for the growth "of the project that genuinely wants to bring value to the world in a sustainable and conscious way." Being a listed company will also, according to its promoters, increase brand image, transparency, and solvency, strengthening its relationship with clients, investors, suppliers, and financiers.
As a preliminary step to accessing the stock market, the biotech has closed a financing round of 2.4 million euros led by the Zamit Capital fund, an investment vehicle managed by CVC Gaesco Valors. As a result of this operation, a divestment has occurred among the rest of the company's investors, but it has also served for other shareholders to strengthen their position. In the first case is IUCT Empren (Inkemia), which after nine years supporting Vytrus has decided to sell all of its shares.
Shareholder IUCT Empren has divested after nine years supporting VytrusOn the contrary, the family officefrom Perfumerías Julia and the Institut Català de Finances (ICF), through the ICF Venture Tech II fund, have reinvested in Vytrus, strengthening their position in the company.
Coinciding with the changes in shareholding, the board of directors has been reorganized. Specifically, Mercedes Domingo, former vice president of Sara Lee, has joined as an independent director, and Vytrus' CFO, Jordi Rovira, has been appointed secretary of the board.