Nobel Biocare Holding AG (NOBN), the world’s second-biggest maker of dental implants, is in discussions about a possible sale of the company as interest in medical-device companies increases.
The talks are at an early stage and may not result in a transaction, Nobel said in a statement today. The company issued the statement in response to a Bloomberg News report that it was working with Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) on a potential transaction. Nobel has a market value of 1.98 billion Swiss francs ($2.2 billion).
“The company confirms that it has been approached by third parties with a potential interest in acquiring the company,” according to the statement. Discussions “are at a very early stage and may or may not result in any transaction. The company will provide an update, if and when appropriate.”
Private-equity firms and companies in the industry have shown interest in the Glattbrugg, Switzerland-based company, people familiar with the matter said.
Nobel Biocare has explored a sale on and off again for some time. Private-equity firms have held preliminary talks with the company, one of the people said. Some buyout firms concluded that Nobel Biocare is too expensive to buy, the people said. The company is about valued at about 27.9 times this year’s estimated earnings, compared with an average of 20.8 times for European medical-equipment companies with market values of $1 billion or more, according to Bloomberg
The talks are at an early stage and may not result in a transaction, Nobel said in a statement today. The company issued the statement in response to a Bloomberg News report that it was working with Goldman Sachs Group Inc. (GS) on a potential transaction. Nobel has a market value of 1.98 billion Swiss francs ($2.2 billion).
“The company confirms that it has been approached by third parties with a potential interest in acquiring the company,” according to the statement. Discussions “are at a very early stage and may or may not result in any transaction. The company will provide an update, if and when appropriate.”
Private-equity firms and companies in the industry have shown interest in the Glattbrugg, Switzerland-based company, people familiar with the matter said.
Nobel Biocare has explored a sale on and off again for some time. Private-equity firms have held preliminary talks with the company, one of the people said. Some buyout firms concluded that Nobel Biocare is too expensive to buy, the people said. The company is about valued at about 27.9 times this year’s estimated earnings, compared with an average of 20.8 times for European medical-equipment companies with market values of $1 billion or more, according to Bloomberg