Axcel Acquires Sanviva to Build Pan-European Medical Device Network

Axcel, a prominent private equity firm headquartered in the Nordics, has finalized its acquisition of Sanviva, a European medical device distribution network. The transaction, completed in March 2026, aims to consolidate local expertise and expand Sanviva’s reach across key healthcare markets in Northern Europe and the Benelux region.

Sanviva operates through a network of established distributors including Apodan, PartnerMed, AllweCare, and XboXLab. These entities collectively serve markets in Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Belgium, and the Netherlands. The network specializes in distributing a diverse portfolio of medical devices, covering categories such as wound care, ostomy care, continence care, hygiene products, compression therapy, and in vitro diagnostics.

Currently employing around 60 people, Sanviva leverages exclusive supplier relationships, strong local market presence, and deep regulatory expertise to facilitate efficient access to healthcare providers and public tenders across multiple countries. This integrated approach allows medical device suppliers to enter European markets through a single, trusted network rather than establishing individual country operations.

Jacob Drakenberg Walberg, Partner at Axcel, states, “We invested in Sanviva to combine local expertise with broader European reach. Our goal is to expand both the product portfolio and geographic footprint, building a pan-European distribution platform that offers suppliers streamlined access to multiple markets through trusted local partners.”

Andreas von Scholten has been appointed Group CEO of Sanviva. He brings extensive leadership experience from previous roles at Grobest Group, Zoetis, and Coloplast. Von Scholten emphasizes the importance of local presence, saying, “Many medical device developers prefer working with trusted local partners rather than building their own presence in every country. Our exclusive relationships enable suppliers to benefit from local expertise and established connections, while healthcare providers gain access to the latest innovations.”

The acquisition was executed through Axcel Elevate I, Axcel’s EUR 459 million lower mid-market fund focused on technology, business services, and healthcare sectors. This fund, which closed in November 2025, has also invested in Norwegian fintech company KapitalKontroll.

Axcel, founded in the Nordics, manages over EUR 4.8 billion in committed capital across nine funds. The firm specializes in building market leaders within Technology, Business Services & Industrials, Healthcare, and Consumer sectors. With offices in Copenhagen, Stockholm, and Frankfurt, Axcel has completed 82 platform investments and over 400 add-on acquisitions to date.

The acquisition of Sanviva aligns with broader industry trends toward consolidation in medical device distribution. By integrating multiple local distributors under one network, Axcel aims to strengthen Sanviva’s competitive position and accelerate growth through expanded product offerings and geographic coverage. The deal also anticipates operational synergies such as streamlined regulatory compliance, tender management, and shared services efficiencies.

Looking ahead, Axcel plans to support Sanviva’s expansion into additional European healthcare markets beyond the current Nordics and Benelux footprint. Integration efforts will focus on harmonizing sales platforms, optimizing supply chains, and enhancing data analytics capabilities to improve market insights and customer service.

Regulatory approvals for the transaction were completed without issue, and the integration process is underway. Axcel’s strategic investment underscores its commitment to healthcare sector growth and innovation in European medical device distribution.