JLL advises AXA Investment Managers - Real Assets on largest life sciences corporate acquisition in Europe

LONDON, 27 November 2020 – JLL acted as exclusive M&A and real estate advisor to AXA Investment Managers - Real Assets (“AXA IM - Real Assets”) on the corporate acquisition of Kadans Science Partner (“Kadans”), a leading pan-European life sciences business.

Kadans is a market leading specialist property company in this expanding industry sector, with a substantial portfolio currently comprising 150,000 sqm of operating space across 20 assets and a further seven developments which will deliver c.70,000 sqm over the next three years located across key strategic centres in the Netherlands, UK and Germany. 

The European life sciences sector has been on a strong growth trajectory over the last few years, following the US market, with the global COVID-19 pandemic reinforcing this trend and further demonstrating the critical role life sciences has as a global industry sector. Demand for suitable real estate has dramatically increased and research facilities have been in high demand in major city clusters, including London, Cambridge and Oxford in the UK as well as the Hague, Leiden, Utrecht  and Amsterdam in the Netherlands, and other cities in Europe with a growing number of investment managers raising capital to invest in the sector. 

Rajan Somchand, Head of Corporate Finance, EMEA, JLL, said: “We’re delighted to have advised AXA IM - Real Assets on this landmark acquisition. The onset of COVID-19 pandemic has positioned life sciences in the spotlight, and we’ve seen a surge in investor appetite for this dynamic sector. This deal is one of the most significant corporate acquisitions undertaken this year and reflects the underlying strength and opportunities for investors in the sector.” 

Dr Glenn Crocker, Head of UK Life Sciences, JLL, added: “Kadans Science Partner’s assets across Europe are located in established and growing life sciences clusters that benefit from access to talent, investment and innovation, which are key indicators for the future growth of the sector. This acquisition provides AXA IM - Real Assets with a unique opportunity to capitalise on the increase in investor demand for research and manufacturing facilities.”