Aureos invests in West African IVF treatment centre

London-based emerging markets investor Aureos has completed a $5m investment in Therapia Health Limited, the holding company for The Bridge Clinic Limited, the first assisted reproductive centre in West Africa.The Bridge Clinic is one of the few of its kind able to provide the same standard of reproductive technology in Nigeria as is available in more developed countries, Aureos said in a statement released today.The investment in Therapia is intended for a direct investment in The Bridge Clinic and an indirect investment in PathCare Nigeria; two healthcare services in the areas of fertility assistance and medical laboratories in Nigeria.The Bridge Clinic was incorporated in 1996 and started operations in 1999 as an assisted reproductive centre, working in collaboration with Kings College Hospital, London.PathCare Nigeria was established in 2004 in conjunction with PathCare Group of South Africa, to provide medical tests for monitoring and medical treatment across Nigeria.To date, over 3,000 IVF cycles carried out by the group have resulted in an improved 40 per cent pregnancy rate for Nigerian women patients.The key growth drivers for the group are mainly the growing market potential of the IVF and medical laboratory sectors as well as a talented team and strategic alliances that can take advantage of the opportunities for the growth, the firm said.“The Bridge Clinic and PathCare Nigeria has an impressive track record working within the West African market and we are excited to work with them as they continue to expand their exceptional medical offering,” said Aureos managing director Jacob Kholi.“The objective of this collaboration is to provide world class infertility treatments in Africa that meet the EU cell and tissue directive standards (2004/23/EC), which are regarded as the most stringent standards in the world.”The deal was completed through the firm’s Africa Health Fund, which aims to help low income Africans gain access to affordable health services while providing investors with long-term financial returns.The fund was established in June 2009 with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the International Finance Corporation, the African Development Bank and DEG as cornerstone investors.Subsequent investors include a major Dutch bank, Elma Foundation, Norfund, Proparco and the Development Bank of Southern Africa.