TA Associates, a private equity and buyout firm bought purchased 65% of Alma Lasers for $90 million. The deal for the developer, manufacturer and marketer of laser, light and radio frequency-based systems valued Alma Lasers at $140 million
Alma Lasers makes products mainly for cosmetic treatments and depilation. Its devices also tackle skin pigmentation and cellulite.
The aesthetic medical device market is large, growing and very profitable. The global aesthetic laser market is estimated at over $1 billion globally and is growing at over 20% annually. The market is characterized by very high demand and attractive economics for practitioners. Growth trends are expected to be maintained as the industry expands into new applications, new geographies and an enlarged non-traditional practitioner group.
The company has 40-50 agents worldwide as well as a subsidiary in the U.S., Karni says.
The Caesaria-based company's products include the multi-application Harmony platform, which the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved for over 60 applications.
Last June, Deloitte ranked Alma Lasers the 20th Fastest Growing Technology Company on its Fast 500 list for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
Alma Lasers resulted from the merger of two laser companies, Israel-based MSQ, founded by Karni, who is a laser physicist by trade, and Orion Lasers, a U.S. based laser distributor.
TA Associates was founded in 1968. It is among the biggest private equity funds in the world, with some $6 billion invested. Since its establishment, TA Associates has invested in 360 companies.