A Medical Device Daily

Alliance Imaging (Newport Beach, California), a national provider of outpatient diagnostic imaging services and radiation therapy services, reported that it has acquired Shared P.E.T. Imaging (SPI; Canton, Ohio), a mobile and fixed-site provider of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT). The total purchase price is expected to total about $43 million in cash and assumed indebtedness.

"Alliance believes that the expansion of PET/CT's critical role in cancer detection and related treatment planning will result in continued overall growth in patient procedures. As part of our plan to expand Alliance's strategic position as a national leader in PET/CT services, we are pleased to be able to move forward and combine our respective organizations in the Midwest, Southeast and Northeast United States," said Paul Viviano, chairman/CEO.

SPI currently generates about $29 million of annual revenue and serves about 90 clients in 13 states, including Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, Tennessee and South Carolina.

Royal Philips Electronics (Amsterdam, the Netherlands) reported that it has acquired the aerosol therapy business of Medel (Parma, Italy). In a related transaction, Philips also acquired a manufacturing facility in Guandong, China, for nebulizer compressor systems and operations in Hong Kong. No financial details from either transaction were disclosed.

Medel is a privately held Italian distributor of nebulizer compressor systems and other home healthcare products. The acquired businesses have become part of the Respiratory Drug Delivery, or RDD, business unit within Philips Home Healthcare Solutions.

Philips Home Healthcare Solutions CEO Don Spence, who in November succeeded former CEO John Miclot, said: "When Philips acquired Respironics, the company also had a leading respiratory drug delivery business. Building upon that strength and fulfilling on our ambition to expand our high-growth compressor nebulizer systems franchise, we decided to acquire the aerosol therapy business of Medel which allows us to better serve the needs of our customers and their patients who suffer from asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis and other respiratory disorders."

The acquired businesses, that make miniature battery powered portables, include the aerosol therapy business of Medel and the manufacturing and logistics operations for the global nebulizer business Melhk (Hong Kong) and its subsidiary Melmedical (Guandong, China). Philips said the acquisition consolidates its leading position in the market with its MiniElite and MicroElite portable nebulizer compressors.

Demand for compact, lightweight portable nebulizers is being driven by the active lifestyles of children with asthma and seniors with COPD with analysts estimating the global pulmonary drug delivery technologies market to grow between 7% and 9% in the coming period.

In other dealmaking news, 3M (St. Paul, Minnesota) reported that it has completed its acquisition of the Futuro (Cincinnati) health supports and compression hosiery product line from Beiersdorf (Hamburg, Germany). Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Health supports are widely used by active consumers, including those who participate in fitness, outdoor and sports activities. The Futuro product line brings its established, branded consumer platform to 3M's existing consumer businesses and will expand the offering in the U.S., Australia, Europe and Asia.

Futuro's complete line of therapeutic and sport supports wraps, braces, and elastic bandages provide compression support and heat retention as well as stability to relieve symptoms associated with minor sprains, strains, arthritis and muscle pain. Futuro's compression hosiery products include therapeutic and anti-embolism stockings. Futuro health supports and Futuro compression hosiery products are sold through consumer channels, including drug stores, mass merchandisers and grocers in North America, and pharmacies internationally.