TOKYO, Apr 01 (Pulse News Wire) – Ceres Inc. (3696.T) announced today that its board approved the acquisition of Squez Corporation, a leading online healthcare services provider, through the purchase of approximately 85% of its outstanding shares.
The transaction will be partially funded via a private placement of Ceres' own shares to key stakeholders. Squez operates several successful telemedicine platforms targeting areas such as AGA, ED, women's health, and mental wellness. By integrating Squez’s offerings with Ceres’ existing digital commerce ecosystem, the company aims to deepen its vertical integration model and expand its direct-to-consumer (D2C) business. The deal was valued at approximately ¥3.612 billion, including advisory fees.
Additionally, Ceres plans to issue approximately 1.2 million shares to Squez executives Hiroyasu Hirano and Akira Anzai on April 17, 2026, at a price of ¥1,419 per share. This issuance will dilute existing shareholders but is expected to enhance long-term value by fostering closer ties with key management personnel. Following the transaction, major shareholder ratios will shift, with institutional investors maintaining significant positions while individual insiders increase their holdings. Ceres expects the acquisition to positively impact its future performance and will update shareholders accordingly.
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