Bridgepoint, one of the world's leading mid-market investors, today announced that it has agreed to partner with Altano Group, the world's largest group of equine clinics and practices.
Bridgepoint will become the company's majority shareholder alongside Founder Dr Victor Baltus, senior management and veterinary leaders, who will remain invested in the business, while existing investor Ufenau Capital Partners will exit its investment. Terms of the transaction are not disclosed.
Founded in 2017 and headquartered in Dülmen, Germany, Altano has united 110 of the world's leading equine clinics and ambulatory practices to create the largest group within its sector, with a network of almost 1,000 veterinarians across Europe, North America and Oceania. Today, the Group provides a comprehensive range of services spanning routine and emergency veterinary care, specialist referrals, advanced imaging, surgery, sports medicine and breeding services.
The partnership unites two organisations with complementary strengths. Bridgepoint brings deep experience in partnering with and growing specialist healthcare businesses, such as Identicare, a leading provider of pet identification and protection services; Safe Life, a global leader in the distribution of automated external defibrillators; and Prescient Healthcare Group, a high-growth provider of decision support and advisory services to the pharmaceutical industry. Altano brings a clinical movement built by and for veterinarians — a community founded on collaboration, knowledge sharing and a shared commitment to continuously improving the standard of equine care. Together, they intend to invest further in veterinarians, clinical excellence and specialist capabilities, extending Altano's reach while keeping equine welfare at the centre of everything the Group does.
As part of the partnership, Boris Zjacic will join Altano as Group CEO, assuming leadership of the Group, with Founder Dr Victor Baltus becoming President, with a particular focus on shaping Altano’s clinical vision and capabilities. Boris brings more than 25 years of international healthcare leadership experience, having previously served as CEO of Artemis, a leading provider of eye care and medical eye clinics in Germany and Switzerland, and as COO of Diaverum, one of the world’s leading providers of kidney care services. Boris and Bridgepoint worked together for several years during Bridgepoint's ownership of Diaverum, helping to expand the business internationally and build one of the sector’s leading kidney care platforms.
Dr Victor Baltus, Founder and President of the Altano Group, said:
“I founded the Altano Group because I realised that cooperation among vets is the key to transforming equine medicine. Together, we have created a movement within our profession — one that leverages education, knowledge sharing and research to drive treatment standards around the globe. In Bridgepoint, we have found a partner who understands what we have built, shares our vision and has the expertise to help us realise it. I am delighted to welcome them, and to work alongside Boris as he joins Altano as Group CEO, and, together, take the Group into its next chapter.”
Carsten Kratz, Partner and Head of DACH at Bridgepoint, said:
“What attracted us to Altano was its outstanding clinical reputation, international position and the unique culture that Victor and his colleagues have built over many years. Our role is to support that vision, investing alongside Victor, Boris and the wider Altano team in people, specialist capabilities and international growth. We have seen in businesses like Diaverum what is possible when the right clinical leadership and the right long-term backing come together, and we are hugely excited about what we can build with Altano.”
Boris Zjacic, incoming Group CEO of the Altano Group, said:
“With its patient-centric approach and its focus on people, collaboration and clinical excellence, the team at the Altano Group has built an exceptional reputation. Having spent time with Victor and colleagues across the Group in recent months, I have been struck by the passion, expertise and culture that runs throughout the organisation. I look forward to working alongside Victor and our veterinarians to strengthen our specialist capabilities and create even more opportunities for talented clinicians to develop their careers within Altano. Together, we have a rare opportunity to build on Altano's foundations and keep raising the standard of equine care.”
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to complete by the end of 2026.
Bridgepoint was advised by J.P. Morgan and Rothschild & Co (M&A), Bain & Company (Commercial), KPMG and EY (Financial and Tax), and Kirkland & Ellis (Legal).