METROBEL
A Belgian firm, formerly in real estate and now a holding
company.
The Group’s holdings in Bone Therapeutics, Euroscreen, Nanocyl , XDC and Allegro
are placed here.
Metrobel also holds three convertible debentures:
The interest on these loans is paid regularly.
EUROSCREEN (Website)
Belgian biotechnology firm focusing on cellular receptors.
In 2009, Euroscreen s.a., a universally recognised specialist
in cell receptors coupled with G Proteins (GPCR),
pharmacological targets of great importance, reinforced its
research into identifying and optimising active proprietary
molecules. Its research results, of considerable potential,
should enable it to enter into one or more significant partnerships
for developing new medicines with large pharmaceutical
groups over the next two years.
Euroscreen is preserving its mixed business model combining:
(i) its Euroscreen Drug Discovery Unit and (ii) its Euroscreen
Fast Business Unit, active in Europe, in the United
States and in Asia, dedicated to services for the pharmaceutical
industry, even though its growth slowed down in
2009.
At the end of 2009, the company had a cash flow of EUR
5.2 million.
The Group’s holding was 8.46%.
NANOCYL (Website)
Belgian company, producer of carbon nanotubes.
Nanocyl has consolidated its position as a key world market
player in the production and marketing of carbon nanotubes
and various by-products, especially for the automotive
and IC packaging sectors, for antistatic properties, composites
based on fibreglass or carbon particularly for antistatic
properties, composites based on fibreglass or carbon for its
potential as a mechanical strengthener. NC7000 remains
the benchmark nanotube on the global market because of
its excellent properties as a conductor of electricity.
2009 saw the signing of several agreements to supply
NC7000s to Korean, Japanese and American clients,
mainly involved in the electronic packaging field, and to
BASF.
The decision was made to install a second high capacity
(400 tons) industrial production unit. It will be operational
in the third quarter of 2010.
A production unit for master mixture and compound manufacture
has been installed.€
The results of the toxicological studies undertaken jointly
with BASF were published in June. The study clearly demonstrates
that NC7000 is not toxic. The company has also
been positioning itself well at the marketing level, with a
view to providing effective support for the 2010 Sales Plan.
The Group’s holding is 6.92%, slightly up on 2008 (5.68%)
XDC (Website)
XDC is the European leader in digital-cinema related technologies
and services, with an order book for more than
1,350 digital screens in Europe, more than half of which
have already been deployed.
This company is the first to have VPF deployment agreements
with the six great American studios, Warner, Fox,
Universal, Paramount, Sony and Disney, for a total of
8,000 digital screens in 22 European countries.
In 2009, XDC crossed two important thresholds in relation
to funding, facilitating the means required for supporting
growth in the years to come (EUR 15.3 millions of funds subscribed
by Gimv, SRIW and some existing investors, and
financing of EUR 100 millions from a banking consortium
led by BNP Paribas Fortis).
CBS holds 2.1% of XDC’s diluted capital.
Bone Therapeutics
A Belgian company created in 2006, Bone Therapeutics
specialises in the treatment of osteo-articular diseases by
cellular therapy. The Company develops innovative cellular
products on the basis of a proprietary technological platform.
The applications concerned are bone reconstruction
(osteo-necrosis, unconsolidated fractures, maxillo-facial
reconstruction, and so on…) and the treatment of orphan
bone diseases.
In 2008, the Company raised EUR 3.85 million for continued
development; the Company’s objective being to
bring its flagship product to the end of clinical phase III
and to constitute a portfolio of three to four clinical projects.
Metrobel holds a 6.23% stake.