Novasep Acquisition by its Management and by Gilde, Banexi, BNP Paribas has Been Signed

Groupe Novasep has been acquired for an enterprise value ofEUR 425 million by its management and by a financial investor group composedof Gilde Buy Out, Banexi Capital Partenaires, BNP Paribas. The acquisitionhas been signed on November 29th, 2006 and completed on January 9th 2007.

Groupe Novasep will continue to operate through two complementarydivisions contributing to approximately EUR 280 million of sales. NovasepSynthesis offers custom synthesis services utilising niche technologies toproduce elaborate molecules for the pharmaceutical industry, as well asproducing and marketing proprietary products, typically generics.Novasep Process is a recognised leader in the field of chromatography, withparticular strength in continuous processes. It provides turn-key physicalpurification solutions to industrial biotech, pharmaceutical and the growingbio-pharma industries. Headquartered in Pompey (France), Novasep operatesmainly in Europe, with subsidiaries in the United States, China and Japan and1300 employees working in nine sites.