The combined group, backed by American private equity investor Highlander Partners, will focus on complex and high-precision surgical procedures in cardiology, neurosurgery, ENT, orthopaedics, thoracic surgery, general surgery, gynaecology and related specialties.

Following the merger, Monza Ares will integrate Brain Institute's expertise and continue the group's growth and market consolidation as a platform dedicated to high-performance complex medicine. Beyond its flagship Bucharest centre, Monza Hospital, the group operates units in Cluj-Napoca, Constanța, Tulcea, Onești and Târgu Jiu, with plans for geographic expansion of its network of hospitals, polyclinics and dental clinics.

"In 2023, together with our partners at Monza-Ares, we acquired our host hospital, Monza Hospital. Today's merger represents the next logical step in Brain Institute joining the Monza Ares Group," said Dr. Sergiu Stoica, Head of Cerebral Neurosurgery and Principal Shareholder of Brain Institute. "We are confident this merger will streamline Monza Hospital's operations and allow us to accelerate technology investments and offer innovative, high-quality medical services."

Dr. Geanina Durigu, CEO of Monza Ares Group, added: "With support from our American investors, Monza Ares Group will expand beyond its initial cardiology focus to areas including cerebral and spinal neurosurgery, ENT, paediatric orthopaedics and general surgery."

Adrian Demușca, General Director of Monza Hospital, said: "Together we now have the capacity to grow the hospital's activity by more than double in the next 3-5 years, as well as investor support to further develop Monza Hospital's capabilities and become a reference centre for complex surgery in CEE." Dr. Adrian Stroilescu, Co-Managing Partner at Highlander Partners in Romania, noted that many doctors have become shareholders in the merged group.

Monza Ares Group was advised on the transaction by RTPR as legal counsel, TS Partners as financial adviser, Contradiction as tax adviser, and Quest Partners as valuation consultant. The Brain Institute received advisory support from Mitel & Asociații providing legal counsel, Anca Romoșan acting as financial adviser, and Tax House serving as tax adviser. Raiffeisen Bank, the financing partner for Monza Ares Group, provided the funding for the transaction, supported by NNDKP as legal counsel.