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With Medbase, Migros has become a major player in the Swiss healthcare market. (File photo)

With Medbase, Migros has become a major player in the Swiss healthcare market. (File photo)

Keystone

Medbase, a Migros subsidiary, is expanding its business with dental practices in French-speaking Switzerland. The healthcare provider is acquiring a majority stake in Ardentis Cliniques Dentaires, which operates 20 clinics in French-speaking Switzerland.

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The seller is the British private equity firm Columna Capital, as the company announced on Tuesday. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. The acquisition was completed last Friday.

According to the information provided, Ardentis’ management will continue to hold a stake in the company and retain a significant minority interest. The two co-CEOs, Mark Bischof and Yves Corthésy, will remain on board. Ardentis is expected to retain its operational independence even under the new majority owner.

With this acquisition, Medbase aims in particular to expand its dental business in French-speaking Switzerland. The group already owns the Zahnarztzentrum.ch chain. “We view dentistry as an important component of primary health care,” Medbase CEO Marcel Napierala is quoted as saying. Ardentis has attractive locations in cities and is firmly established in western Switzerland.

70,000 patients

Ardentis was founded in 1993 and today operates 20 dental clinics, primarily in urban areas in French-speaking Switzerland. The group employs approximately 450 people and, according to its own figures, treats about 70,000 patients per year.

Columna Capital acquired a stake in Ardentis in late 2019. The network was subsequently expanded from 12 to 20 locations. A total of 15 units were added through new openings, acquisitions, and the transfer of patient portfolios.

Medbase is part of the Migros Group and operates approximately 190 medical centers, psychotherapy practices, pharmacies, and dental centers throughout Switzerland. More than 4,400 healthcare professionals work for the group. Since April 1, it has been wholly owned by the Migros Cooperative Federation (MGB).