Gibson Dunn acts on behalf of a private equity company during its acquisition of Egypt’s Technoscan.

Private equity firm Gulf Capital has acquired 75% of Technoscan, a chain of medical diagnostic imaging centres, after receiving help from global law firm Gibson Dunn.

The law practice, led by Dubai and London partner Paul Harter and including associate Patrick Dykstra, represented Gulf Capital throughout the transaction.

Gulf Capital chief executive Dr Karim El Solh said the deal would enable his company to tap into Egypt’s healthcare industry, where Technoscan is based.

“Healthcare represents a rapidly growing sector, not only in Egypt but throughout the MENA region,” he said.

“This investment follows our stated strategy of investing in defensive yet high-growth sectors that benefit from the regional population growth, increased government spending and increased private sector participation.”

With a population of 79 million, Egypt is the second largest healthcare market after Saudi Arabia. Its healthcare spending increased by 22% last year and is expected to continue climbing in 2010, fed by an aging population, alleviated health awareness, increased incomes, and rising number of lifestyle diseases.

Dr El Solh said opening new diagnostic imaging centres and completing further acquisitions across the region were the main objectives following the Technoscan takeover.

TechnoScan is an Egyptian company that operates 15 imaging centres, 13 of which are wholly-owned. The remaining two are owned in partnership with other investors.

The TechnoScan centres were founded by Egyptian physician Dr. Ossama Khalil, who remains co-owner and board member following the takeover.