Bunker Hill Capital Announces Growth Equity Investment in Courtagen Life Sciences, Inc.

Posted on 7/14/2015 in Announcements

Bunker Hill Capital, a leading Boston based private equity investor in lower middle market companies, announced that it has made a growth equity investment in Courtagen Life Sciences, Inc. (“Courtagen” or the “Company”).

Headquartered in Woburn, MA, Courtagen is a diagnostic testing services business founded in 2009 by Brian and Brendan McKernan, who currently serve as CEO and President, respectively. In 2012, they were joined by their brother, Kevin McKernan, who currently serves as Chief Scientific Officer. “Courtagen is led by an exceptional management team that has successfully executed similar strategies and delivered superior returns to shareholders previously,” said Mark DeBlois, Managing Partner of Bunker Hill Capital. “The McKernan’s deep and technical knowledge of gene sequencing as a service and their proven ability to target and commercialize clearly defined new markets were critical factors in our decision to invest in Courtagen. In addition, the McKernans are significantly invested in the business, giving us further confidence that they are deeply committed to the long-term success of the Company.”

The current funding round will accelerate the expansion of Courtagen’s commercial operations, including expanding sales and marketing and laboratory capacity while also providing working capital to meet the growing needs of the business. “We welcome Bunker Hill Capital to our extended team and the fresh perspective they bring”, said Brian McKernan, CEO of Courtagen. “There is an explosive growth opportunity in Next Generation Sequencing diagnostic testing, and the strong interest in Courtagen from an institutional investor like Bunker Hill Capital underscores the market’s recognition of the value and positive impact we provide to doctors, patients and their families.”

About Courtagen Life Sciences, Inc.

Courtagen is a privately held life sciences and molecular information company that converts genomic data into actionable clinical information for the diagnosis of critical pediatric neurological and metabolic disorders. Specifically, Courtagen focuses on mitochondrial disorders, epilepsy, and intellectual disability, including autism spectrum disorders. Courtagen’s state-of-the-art Next Generation Sequencing clinical laboratory integrates cloud-based computing and custom analytical methods to provide the most comprehensive genetic information to clinicians, patients, and their families to help diagnose diseases and guide treatment decisions. For more information on Courtagen, please visit www.courtagen.com.

About Bunker Hill Capital

Bunker Hill Capital is a private equity firm that makes investments in lower middle market companies with enterprise values up to $120 million. The principals of Bunker Hill Capital have invested over $530 million in 34 transactions and target opportunities across four industry sectors including industrial products, business services, consumer products and specialty retail. Bunker Hill Capital’s current portfolio company investments include California Family Fitness, the leading owner and operator of fitness centers in the greater Sacramento, California area; Papa Gino’s/D’Angelo, a dominant quick service restaurant operator in New England; Smith & Wollensky, a premier steakhouse concept in the United States; SunBriteTV, the world’s leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of all-weather outdoor televisions and related accessories; Rizing, a leading SAP services firm; Dyno, the exclusive licensee of the Singer brand for sewing accessories and producer and marketer of holiday decorative home products; Hubbardton Forge, a Vermont based premier designer and manufacturer of branded hand- forged premium lighting fixtures; ASPEQ Heating Group, a manufacturer of highly engineered electric heating and thermal management technologies; and Courtagen, a diagnostic testing services company. For more information on Bunker Hill Capital, please visit www.bunkerhillcapital.com.