Private equity manager Keensight Capital has acquired a majority stake in Maidstone, Kent-based Bedfont Scientific Ltd, which designs and manufactures non-invasive breath analysis medical devices.
As part of the transaction, the company’s existing shareholders will reinvest alongside Keensight.
Founded in 1976, Bedfont is a global leader in non-invasive breath analysis devices, supporting not only medical diagnosis but also the monitoring and management of respiratory and metabolic conditions.
The company designs and manufactures high-precision breath and gas analysis instruments, with a particular focus on the NObreath device for FeNO testing, a key biomarker for asthma diagnosis and management, which is increasingly being adopted across healthcare systems.
Bedfont’s portfolio also includes solutions for smoking cessation and hydrogen and methane breath testing for gastrointestinal disorders.
Bedfont’s products are widely used across primary and secondary healthcare settings, distributed through a network of over 100 partners in more than 70 countries worldwide.
With a strong track record in both MedTech and the respiratory field, Keensight will support Bedfont’s next stage of growth, strengthening its position as a global leader in breath analysis field.
By leveraging its international footprint and the resources of the performance team, Keensight will work hand-in-hand with management to accelerate growth and international expansion, both organically and through acquisitions, while further scaling innovation.
Jason Smith, CEO of Bedfont Scientific, said: “We see significant opportunity to expand the use of breath analysis in medical diagnosis and monitoring. It is critical that this technology is reliable and accessible.
“Our vision is a world where everyone has access to instant, non-invasive, simple breath testing. With the support of Keensight, we will be able to increase patient outreach and improve patient access worldwide.”
Amit Karna, partner at Keensight Capital, added: “Bedfont is a highly innovative company whose pioneering work in breath biomarkers, particularly FeNO, is helping to advance global standards in respiratory diagnostics.
“We are thrilled to partner with the family behind Bedfont, together with its visionary CEO Jason Smith, to support the company as it enters its next phase of international growth and development.”
