A Medical Device Daily

Gambro (Stockholm) yesterday reported that it intends to acquire the assets and operations of Hemapure , a Swedish venture-funded company. Terms were not disclosed.

Hemapure has developed Hemaport, a new port system for vascular access for renal patients, and Gambro said that the acquisition will broaden its portfolio for vascular access solutions. All of Hemapure's employees will transfer to Gambro.

Hemapure was founded in 1988 by Bo Danielson, professor in nephrology, and Tore Magnusson, with many years experience in the dialysis business. The company introduced a third generation port system for vascular access, named the Hemaport, into the market in 2002.

Jon Risfelt, president of Gambro Renal Products , said that the acquisition “shows Gambro's focus and commitment in the area of vascular access – to provide the best solution for each patient category. I am very excited about Gambro's growth opportunities in this area, and I am convinced that the Hemaport technology will provide a much desired relief for a certain category of patients.”

Hemaport has been developed as a choice for those patients where there is a need for an alternative technique when AV-fistulas are failing. Hemaport offers a needle-free technique and is easy to use, according to Hemapure. The concept is based on a transcutaneous titanium implant, the company calling it “a fundamentally different approach to solve problems with the vascular access.”

Hemaport and its associated dialysis set is CE-marked and currently available in the Swedish market. Gambro said it intends to further develop the products before global launch.

Gambro Renal Products is a market leader in the vascular access area for dialysis with a wide range of temporary and permanent catheters.

Cholestech LDX in 'Test the Nation' program

Cholestech (Hayward, California) reported that Flora pro.activ (London), the UK's leading cholesterol-lowering brand, has selected the Cholestech LDX System, a cholesterol monitoring tool, as part of the “Test the Nation” program. Cholestech said that this is the second national heart health initiative that has used the LDX System as the Swiss Heart Foundation recently submitted results of its national screening program to the Swiss Health Ministry.

“Test the Nation” is being run by Flora pro.activ, in association with H.E.A.R.T. UK , the Hyperlipidaemia Education and Research Trust, to provide information that will encourage people to find out what shape their heart is in. The campaign kicked off at the start of April and takes place at city centers, supermarkets and major events.

The cholesterol screening will be conducted using the LDX System, which generates lab-accurate results in minutes. Using a simple finger-stick, the LDX System can measure cholesterol, glucose and liver enzymes, and now, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP).

The Cholestech LDX System, carrying the CE mark, has been certified by the U.S. Cholesterol Reference Method Laboratory Network , which validates that the system meets the gold standard for accuracy and reproducibility developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Atlanta) for the measurement of total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol consistent with National Cholesterol Education Program analytical goals.

Schering S.A.S. transfers radiopharma business

Schering (Berlin) reported that its French subsidiary Schering S.A.S . has completed the transfer of the radiopharmaceutical business of CIS bio international to a consortium formed by the Belgian companies Ion Beam Applications and the Institut National des Radioelements (Medical Device Daily, Feb. 24, 2006).

The consortium has acquired Schering's current radiopharmaceutical business while Schering continues to focus on the diagnostic fields of MRI, CT and optical as well as molecular imaging.

Schering's activities are focused on four business areas: gynecology and andrology, oncology, diagnostic imaging and specialized therapeutics for disabling diseases.

European eHealth conference and exhibit

The 2006 European eHealth Conference and Exhibition, running today through Thursday in Malaga, Spain, brings together leaders in the field of eHealth from around the world to shape policies, share best practices, introduce new technology and foster strategic innovation.

Organized through a partnership between the European Commission, the Austrian Presidency of the European Union, the Spanish Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs, and the Andalusian Regional Ministry of Health, the meeting is designed to offer insight into the future of technology-driven healthcare.

Nearly 200 thought leaders in the fields of health and ICT will explore a variety of issues regarding the application of ICT to the healthcare industry. They will discuss subjects such as individual electronic health cards containing complete medical records, the electronic prescription, interoperability of non-compatible technology, sophisticated portable/implantable devices and new health-related mobile information platforms.

Bench opens office in Geneva

Bench International (Los Angeles), a global retained executive search firm, reported the opening of its offices in Geneva, Switzerland, as well as the appointment of Dr. Stephen Williams as the firm's president and chief business officer.

“These moves will allow us to more swiftly and effectively support our healthcare clients' demands in winning the global war for talent, as well as to respond to our Pharma/Biopharma clients' urgent needs to understand their 'pain,' as they grapple with the increasing complications in developing drugs,” said Denise DeMan-Williams, founder, CEO and chairman of Bench International.

Established in 1974, Bench International bills itself as the oldest woman-founded retained executive search firm, exclusively dedicated to the biomedical, biotech, pharma and healthcare sectors.

“Switzerland has long been known for its pivotal involvement in advancing important drugs and technologies. Our expansion into this market will enable us to deliver scientific and management talent in the same manner our clients strive to develop their products, faster, better and more cost-efficiently,” said DeMan-Williams.