M&As this week: BioLeaders, Groupe Rocher, Frutarom

BioLeaders Corporation has entered an agreement to acquire a 21.79% stake in Next Bt for KRW36bn ($33.58m).

Based in South Korea, BioLeaders is engaged in the research and development (R&D) of biotechnology and biopharmaceuticals, as well as marketing of cosmetic products. Next Bt is a South Korean distributor of healthcare and animal feed products.

BioLeaders will hold 8.7 million shares in Next BT following the transaction.

Groupe Rocher has agreed to acquire Arbonne International, a US-based direct seller of beauty, personal care and nutrition products.

Founded in 1975, Arbonne sells its products in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan and Poland.

Based in France, Groupe Rocher operates as an independent group and employs 17,000 personnel.

The transaction enables Groupe Rocher to expand its brand presence outside Europe, while allowing it to use Arbonne’s information technology (IT) platform to move from its direct selling model to a social selling model.

Frutarom Industries has completed an acquisition of Israeli Biotechnology Research (IBR) for $21m.

The teams of both companies will join forces to work in the areas of algae-growth and active ingredients extraction.

IBR’s customer base is spread across the US, Europe and Asia, and also includes leading cosmetics and personal care firms.

The transaction strengthens Frutarom’s presence in the natural active fine ingredients market of the cosmetics industry.

Both companies involved in the transaction are based in Israel.