BBVA advises Apheon on the acquisition of a majority stake in Longwood

This transaction reinforces BBVA’s positioning in the Healthcare sector, particularly within the In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) segment, and reinforces its role as a trusted financial adviser to private equity funds and institutional investors.

BBVA has acted as sole financial advisor to Apheon in the acquisition of a majority stake in Longwood, a Spanish group specialising in genomic diagnostic solutions, with a distinct focus on next-generation high-throughput sequencing (NGS) technologies.

Leveraging on a trustful relationship built with Longwood over the past years, BBVA helped decisively to the origination of the deal, leveraging its sector expertise and commitment to value creation, thereby contributing to the incorporation of Apheon as the most suitable strategic partner to support Longwood in its next phase of growth.

Headquartered in Zaragoza and founded in 1992, Longwood has established itself as a leading distributor in the In Vitro Diagnostics field in Spain, partnering with top-tier international manufacturers and serving an extensive network of public and private hospitals as well as specialised laboratories. The group’s business model is complemented with niche proprietary products and in-house value-added services. The entry of Apheon as majority shareholder will enable Longwood to accelerate its strategic development, expand its portfolio of solutions, and pursue consolidation opportunities both in the domestic and international markets.

“This transaction reflects our strong commitment to the Healthcare sector as one of the key drivers of future growth,” said Álvaro Elío, Head of M&A for the Industrial and Middle Market segments. “The involvement of a private equity fund further consolidates BBVA’s position as a dedicated partner to institutional investors, in a landscape increasingly shaped by complex and transformative transactions. Our goal is to support companies and institutions in their strategic decisions through a comprehensive advisory approach that blends sector insight, global perspective, and close client engagement. We aim to build long-term relationships that deliver meaningful impact and sustained value.”

The deal underscores BBVA’s ability to identify strategic opportunities, mobilise specialist capital, and support the development of high-impact business projects. In line with its long-term vision, BBVA remains committed to supporting initiatives that foster economic progress and create sustainable value in increasingly demanding and competitive environments.