By combining Cardiopulmonary Bypass (CPB) with the research and development (R&D), manufacturing and commercialisation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) products, the acquisition is expected to advance MicroPort’s strategy in emergency and critical care
MicroPort has acquired German medical device firm Hemovent. (Credit: Tumisu from Pixabay)
MicroPort Surgical, a critical care subsidiary of MicroPort Scientific, has acquired 100% stake in German medical device company Hemovent for around €123m.
Based in Aachen, Hemovent has expertise in the development of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) systems, a technology generally known as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
By combining Cardiopulmonary Bypass (CPB) with the research and development (R&D), manufacturing and commercialisation of ECMO products, the acquisition is expected to advance MicroPort’s strategy in emergency and critical care.
As per the guidelines of the Extracorporeal Life Support Organisation (ELSO), ECMO machines can be used for cardiac and respiratory arrest, acute severe heart failure and acute severe respiratory failure caused by various reasons.
By delivering continuous extracorporeal respiratory and circulatory support, ECMO facilitates a reduction in cardiopulmonary burden in patients.
Hemovent CEO Dr Christof Lenz said: “We are extremely happy with our new partner MicroPort who can leverage Hemovent’s team efforts with its profound resources, industry expertise and global reach in order to raise our unique technology to the next level.”
Hemovent’s Mobybox system, which has CE mark approval, is claimed to be the first fully integrated ECLS system for the management of both perfusion and gas exchange in a single device.
The MOBYBOX system is driven only by pneumatics such as oxygen or compressed air and does not require external power supply, software, or motors.
Weighing less than 2kg, the system fits in a backpack and helps to extend device application from intensive care units (ICU) to such mobile medical scenarios as inter and intra-hospital patient transfer and field rescue.
The Mobybox holds the potential to deliver timely extracorporeal life support application to a higher number of critical patients in life-threatening situations, said the company.
In addition, the system’s fully integrated gas and pump management will help many primary hospitals to meet their real world care demands.
MicroPort Surgery senior vice president Zhiguang Cheng said: “After the completion of the acquisition, MicroPort Surgery will pursue device internationalization through a US FDA filing and the clinical registration of Mobybox in China, which will provide systematic support centering on clinical needs, so that this innovative product can also benefit Chinese patients as soon as possible.”
The transaction, which secured all the necessary and customary regulatory approvals, is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of this year.
Hemovent will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of MicroPort, upon completion of the deal.