Essen – Evonik is fully acquiring the German biotech company JeNaCell, thus adding biotechnologically derived cellulose to its own portfolio of biomaterials. The nature-identical material developed by JeNaCell is used in medical technology and dermatology to treat wounds and burns and to soothe the skin. JeNaCell employees will continue to work at the development and production site in Jena.

Evonik Operations GmbH has acquired all the existing investors' shares in JeNaCell GmbH and will also provide the company with strategic support in the future. A team of investors that had grown since 2012 was involved in JeNaCell: In addition to Evonik Venture Capital and HTGF, the investors included Sparkasse Jena-Saale-Holzland, Stiftung für Technologie, Innovation und Forschung Thüringen (STIFT), and Stiftung Thüringer Beteiligungskapital (ThüB).

Following the complete takeover, the JeNaCell portfolio will now be integrated into Evonik's health care business. The Group is consequently accelerating the further development of its high-growth Nutrition & Care Division into a systems solutions provider and the expansion of its division-wide technology platform for natural materials in medical technology.

Dr. Nikolaus Uhl and his venture capital team in Berlin advised Evonik and all existing investors on the structuring and contractual aspects of this acquisition. The law firm Weitnauer regularly represents both investors and companies in financing rounds.

About Evonik Venture Capital

With a fund volume of €250 million, Evonik Venture Capital (EVC) has made more than 30 investments in direct and fund investments since 2012. EVC has offices in Germany, the U.S. and China and invests in innovative technologies and disruptive business models in Nutrition & Care, Specialty Additives and Smart Materials, as well as in technologies that support digital transformation. The EVC team of experienced investment managers provides comprehensive support to the portfolio companies. The investment scope ranges from early to growth stage with an investment volume per portfolio company of up to €15 million.