Australia’s largest provider of fertility treatment, Virtus Health, has acquired a 70 per cent stake in Dublin-based Sims IVF for €15.49 million.

Founded 17 years ago by doctors Anthony and David Walsh, Sims IVF will continue to operate as a standalone subsidiary. It has been involved in the birth of 6,000 children via fertility treatments.

Sims IVF chairman Dr Anthony Walsh said he was delighted the clinic was joining with Virtus.

“Sims IVF and Virtus share a lot of common values. The foundations of both organisations are built on providing the best possible treatment and care for people trying to have a baby,” he said. “Before agreeing to become a Virtus partner, we undertook our own due diligence and determined that this partnership provided the best possible outcome for our patients and the Sims IVF team.”

Dr Anthony Walsh will continue as managing director of Sims IVF and his Sims IVF co-founder, medical director Dr David Walsh, will remain in his role.

The partnership is Virtus Health’s first international acquisition.