Paris, October 30th, 2012. AXA Private Equity, the leading European diversified private equity firm, announces today that it is providing €100 million of additional financing to support the development of Ceva. The deal follows AXA Private Equity’s first investment of €30 million in 2007 and highlights the firm’s ability to offer innovative, tailor-made financing for companies.

Ceva is a global animal health company, which since becoming independent in 1999, has grown by more than 10% per year, well above the industry average, thanks to an internal growth strategy focused on developing innovative products combined with external growth achieved through build-ups.  The management of Ceva became the majority shareholders in the group in 2007, following the third in a series of LBO’s supported by NiXEN, Euromezzanine and in 2010 Sagard.

AXA Private Equity’s €100 million bond financing line reinforces its support to Ceva and will complement the company’s existing bank financing. This flexible approach will allow the company to enter the next phase of its development and pursue its international build-up strategy.

Marc Prikazsky, Chairman & CEO of Ceva, said: “Our ability to successfully incorporate new companies and products into a wider strategic vision has been a key element for the growth of Ceva. Our results-based culture has allowed numerous entrepreneurs to join us and retain their own management styles while pursuing the same global vision as the group.”

Cécile Mayer-Levi, Co-Head of AXA Private Equity Private Debt, added: “We are delighted to have provided this innovative form of financing as it is ideally suited to Ceva’s existing capital structure and gives it the opportunity to further its development internationally.”

About axa private equity

AXA Private Equity is a world leader in private equity, with assets of $30 billion managed or advised in Europe, North America and Asia. The company offers its investors a wide choice of funds covering the full range of asset classes: Funds of Funds (primary, early secondary and secondary), Direct Funds including Infrastructure, Small and Mid Market Enterprise Capital, Innovation & Growth, Co-Investment and Private Debt.

With offices in Paris, Frankfurt, New York, Singapore, Milan, London, Zurich, Vienna and Luxembourg AXA Private Equity is committed to supporting companies in their long term growth by providing access to its international network. AXA Private Equity sets great store by the regularity and quality of its reporting on the performance of its funds and the performance of the companies in its portfolio, as a service to its investors.

AXA Private Equity, Global Investments the European way

www.axaprivateequity.com

 About ceva

Ceva Santé Animale is a global veterinary health company focused on the research, development, production and marketing of vaccines and pharmaceutical products for companion animals, livestock, swine and poultry.  The group employs over 3,000 people in 43 countries with forecasted sales of around €600 million in 2012.

Since 2007, the management is the majority shareholder alongside Nixen, Euromezzanine and Sagard.

www.ceva.com

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