Bart Bergstein, MSc, Board Member
Managing Partner, Forbion Capital Partners, The Netherlands
Mr. Bergstein holds a degree in Construction Engineering from Eindhoven Techinical University. He started his career in 1990 with ABN AMRO Bank, where he enjoyed an international career in commercial and investment banking. In 1997 he joined the ABN AMRO Private Equity department where he founded ABN AMRO Capital Life Sciences (AAC LS) in 2000 and expanded the team to its current size. With his vast experience in the life sciences arena Bart provides invaluable commercial expertise in the team. He has developed a keen sense of creating value in transactions.
Bart invested in Rhein Biotech in 1999. The company floated on the Neuer Markt stock exchange in Frankfurt in 1999, and in 2000, together with WestLB, Bart's team arranged a USD 30 million equity financing that enabled Rhein Biotech to acquire Korea Green Cross Vaccines Corporation in a USD 110 M transaction. This boosted the stock value of the company from EUR 30 per share at the time of acquisition, to the EUR 110-150 per share range. He was also responsible for the investment in Ubisys, an early stage company that was able to merge with Introgene to Crucell. Crucell was successfully floated on the Amsterdam stock exchange, leading to a substantial profit for the fund. Overall Bart has been responsible for over 12 investments.
During 1997-2000, Bart held the position of Senior Investment Manager in the Private Equity Department at ABN AMRO, where he was involved in expansion finance, equity for project finance, and management buy-outs. As the team grew, he stayed active on the operational side, realizing multiple investments and taking on several board positions.
Currently Bart is active as a non-executive director on the boards of AM Pharma, Cytheris and BioConnection. He is also a board member of the Mibiton Foundation, a government backed fund that supports the Dutch biotech industry with financing for lab equipment and infrastructure.