April 25, 2007
Fresenius Kabi to acquire blood volume replacement business of Japanese pharmaceutical company Kyorin
Fresenius Kabi, a European leader in infusion therapy and clinical nutrition, has entered into an agreement with Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, to acquire its artificial colloid product business. Fresenius Kabi acquires the rights for the production, marketing and sale of these products. Kyorin's artificial colloids sales were € 5.2 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2006. The colloids are based on hydroxyethyl starch (HES) and are mainly used in surgical and emergency procedures to substitute blood loss. Kyorin is the only provider of HES products for blood volume replacement in Japan.
In addition, Fresenius Kabi is currently setting up a subsidiary in Tokyo for the marketing and distribution of the acquired products as well as its own product portfolio in Japan. The new subsidiary will allow Fresenius Kabi to enhance its presence in the world's second largest healthcare market.
"In Japan, we are focusing on the intensive care and acute care hospital segments. Kyorin's artificial colloids will perfectly complement Fresenius Kabi's product range. With these products, we will enter the Japanese blood-volume replacement market for the first time. We believe that the high medical benefits and the strong patient safety profile of HES products offer excellent growth opportunities in this attractive market segment", said Mats Henriksson, President of Fresenius Kabi's Asia-Pacific region.
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About Kyorin
Kyorin is a pharmaceutical company with a long-standing tradition in healthcare. The company is focused on the marketing and sale of drugs for respiratory, otolaryngologic (ear, nose and throat medicine) and urologic diseases.
As of March 31, 2006 (end of the fiscal year), Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. achieved sales of 67.4 bn JPY (approximately € 440 million) and employed 1,502 people worldwide. Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. is a 100% subsidiary of Kyorin Co. Ltd. Kyorin Co. Ltd. is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Future results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to certain factors, e.g. changes in business, economic and competitive conditions, regulatory reforms, results of clinical trials, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, uncertainties in litigation or investigative proceedings, and the availability of financing. Fresenius does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements in this release.