Strategic acquisition creates a leading oncology platform in Switzerland, with super-specialisation in breast and prostate cancer and an integrated care pathway
Affidea Group, a leading pan-European provider of specialist healthcare services including cancer care, advanced diagnostic imaging and community-based polyclinics, today announced the acquisition of Uroviva Group, Switzerland’s foremost urology network, from German Equity Partners IV (“GEP IV”), a fund managed by independent German investment company ECM, and Uroviva Group’s founding physicians. Through this acquisition, Affidea Switzerland almost doubles in size - from 17 to 33 centres and from 450 to 700 employees, positioning the company among the top outpatient healthcare providers in the country.
This acquisition complements Affidea’s out of hospital diagnostic services and strong breast cancer care pathway, enabling the development of an adjacent prostate cancer pathway. It also opens significant synergies in pathology, diagnostic imaging and oncology. These complementary services allow Affidea to offer an integrated pathway in both breast and prostate cancer care, delivering seamless and connected care experiences for patients.
The Uroviva Group is a leading network of medical specialists, combining top-level expertise in urology, gynaecology, and oncology. With 16 locations across the cantons of Zurich, Lucerne, Zug, Solothurn, and Aargau, and approximately 250 employees – including 55 physicians – Uroviva provides excellent, comprehensive outpatient care as well as inpatient treatment where required. Its service offering includes state-of-the-art treatment methods such as the Da Vinci® Surgical System, High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), and Rezum™ therapy.
Affidea is pleased to welcome new colleagues from the Uroviva Group. They bring with them not only outstanding medical expertise but also a strong alignment with our core values – especially a deep commitment to patient-centered, compassionate, and high-quality care. By combining their services, the Uroviva centres and Affidea’s existing network will create a unique model of integrated care, offering patients faster access to diagnostics, personalised treatment plans, and continuous monitoring.
As an A2-accredited training centre in urology, recognized by the SIWF/ISFM, Uroviva makes a significant contribution to educating the next generation of urologists and offers an attractive platform for medical professionals from both Switzerland and abroad.
Marc-Andre Christinat, CEO of Affidea Switzerland, commented: "This acquisition is a transformational moment for Affidea in Switzerland. With Uroviva joining our network, we are not only doubling our footprint but also creating a leading national platform for integrated oncology care. We already had an integrated breast care pathway, which is now completed with Uroviva’s gynaecology services (Gynéviva). We are now proud to offer also an integrated prostate cancer pathway. Our patients will now benefit from a connected care pathway in both breast, gynaecology and prostate, that brings together the best in diagnostics, medical expertise and oncology services, closer to our community.”
Dr Charles Niehaus, Executive Director for Affidea Group, added: "The acquisition of Uroviva is a defining moment in Affidea Group journey to building a comprehensive, high-quality cancer care network in Europe. By bringing together Switzerland’s foremost urology provider with our existing expertise, we are creating an integrated platform that spans the entire patient journey - from early detection to advanced treatment and long term surveillance. This is not just a strategic expansion, it’s a commitment to our patients, doctors and the communities we serve. It means faster diagnoses, more precise treatments, and a truly coordinated care experience that puts their needs at the centre, now with one more cancer care pathway fully integrated, focused on prostate. It’s how we’re shaping the future of personalised, specialist healthcare across Europe."
Jan Sobhani, CEO of Uroviva Group: "With this acquisition by Affidea, we are opening a groundbreaking new chapter in the development of Uroviva. We are joining forces with a pan-European experienced partner who shares our values and supports our vision of integrated, patient-centered care. Together, we are creating indeed new perspectives in Switzerland – for our patients, our employees, our partner institutions, and all those who contribute every day to the success of our mission. I would also like to thank our partners at ECM for the successful cooperation over the past years. Their support enabled us to accelerate our growth and expand throughout German-speaking Switzerland."
This is the second acquisition of Affidea in Switzerland this year, after the addition of the two pathology Laboratories, after six new centres have been acquired in the past two years, all building Affidea Switzerland’s integrated cancer care platform.
A growing need for comprehensive cancer care in Switzerland
Cancer remains the second leading cause of death in Switzerland, accounting for 25% of total fatalities. Each year, more than 45,000 new cancer cases are diagnosed, resulting in approximately 17,000 deaths[1]. Moreover, the proportion of cancer cases among younger individuals (under 50 years old) is rising significantly, highlighting the urgent need for integratedand advanced oncology solutions.
Affidea’s legal advisors for the transaction were Niederer Kraft Frey in Zurich, Switzerland and FRIEDRICH GRAF VON WESTPHALEN PARTNER in Freiburg, Germany, while Ernst & Young provided finance & tax services and Alantra for M&A advisory. The sellers of Uroviva Group were advised on the transaction by KPMG (M&A, commercial, finance & tax vendor services) as well as Milbank, Advestra and Bratschi (legal counsel).
Source & Image Credit: Affidea Group
[1] OECD Data - https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2024/11/tackling-the-impact-of-cancer-on-health-the-economy-and-society-country-notes_db760f3f/switzerland_2f3e7257/0e8018c0-en.pdf
