Evolver and Repolar partner for growth

Finland-based Evolver Fund II has on August 29th, 2024 acquired a controlling interest in Repolar Pharmaceuticals Oy, a Finnish company specializing in resin-based treatment products. The partnership aims to accelerate Repolar’s internationalization and growth. Founders Arno Sipponen (MD, PhD), Lauri Sipponen (M.Sc, Econ), and Janne Jokinen (MD, PhD) will remain significant shareholders. CEO Paavo Heikkinen will also remain a shareholder and continue to lead the company. Repolar is Evolver Fund II’s first investment.

Repolar Pharmaceuticals was established in 2006 by the Sipponen family of doctors. The company researches, develops, and markets treatment products for humans and animals based on the active ingredients of spruce resin. Repolar’s core products are particularly aimed at wound treatment and skin care for both home and professional use. Repolar’s best-known product is Abilar® wound salve, which can be found on the shelves of almost every Finnish pharmacy.

Evolver Equity is a specialized growth partner for Nordic SMEs. With the backing of Evolver, Repolar will aim to establish a strong position in the Nordic wound care market and expand its presence in European and global export markets.

Repolars’s CEO, Paavo Heikkinen, is excited about the partnership: “This is an important step change for Repolar as a business. A strong focus on scientific and clinical research has always been at the heart of our operations. Our next step as a company is to adopt a more strategic marketing and brand-building approach, with an emphasis on customer and market alignment. I am confident that this partnership will enable us to accelerate our growth and further strengthen our competitive position.”

Lauri Sipponen, representative of the founding family and Repolar board member, comments: “As founders, we are happy to have found Evolver as a partner for our next growth journey. We have built up the company patiently, with the support of our family and close colleagues who have become like family members. Over almost two decades, Repolar has demonstrated scientific and commercial innovativeness and has become successful in Finland, as well as recently successfully entered Sweden and Norway. With our experienced key personnel and Evolver as growth partner, we can accelerate growth in the Nordics and Central Europe and build a winning team for this journey.”

”We are honored and excited to become part of Repolar’s growth journey and to support a business that connects nature, humans, and animals. We are deeply impressed by the pioneering spirit, passion, and scientific expertise that have driven the company’s success to this point, and we look forward to supporting Paavo and his team in the internationalization of this Finnish success story”, says Erik Flodin, Partner at Evolver Equity.

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Additional information:
Erik Flodin, Evolver Equity, tel +358 457 575 9151
Paavo Heikkinen, Repolar Pharmaceuticals, tel. +358 50 42 92 611
Lauri Sipponen, tel. +358 50 38 77 444