Nordic Bioscience develops biomarkers that detect extracellular matrix structures, which are signals for disease or injury. The company has a broad patented ECM portfolio of over 150 biomarkers for major disease areas such as liver, cancer and obesity. KKR invested in the business in 2021 through its Health Care Strategic Growth strategy.

KKR has agreed to sell its 10 percent minority stake in Danish biotechnology company Nordic Bioscience to its founder and majority shareholder, Claus Christiansen. Based in Herlev, Nordic Bioscience develops blood-based biomarkers that detect diseases or injuries based on changes in extracellular matrix (ECM) structures. It has a broad patented ECM portfolio of over 150 biomarkers for conditions such as liver disease, cancer and obesity, and has published over 850 scientific papers.

Under the PE firm, the company built up its “differentiated expertise in the extracellular matrix” and expanded “its capabilities across R&D services, clinical diagnostics and drug development,” said Kugan Sathiyanandarajah, partner and head of KKR’s European Healthcare Private Equity and Healthcare Strategic Growth teams, in a statement. “Over this period, we have doubled revenue and become even more profitable, while continuing to strengthen our position in biomarker development,” said Christiansen.

As part of the transaction, Christiansen will replace Håkan Björklund as board chair. Sathiyanandarajah will remain on the board until the next ordinary general meeting.