Fresenius Medical Care, the world’s largest provider of dialysis products and services, has launched the 6008 CAREsystem for the treatment of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This new dialysis therapy system incorporates Fresenius Medical Care’s highest therapy standards while optimizing dialysis treatment and improving economic efficiency. Most importantly, it minimizes the number of risk-related handling steps and reduces complexity in therapy delivery.

The 6008 CAREsystem was introduced to specialists at the European Dialysis and Transplantation Association / European Renal Association (EDTA/ERA) conference in Vienna, which ended yesterday.

Dominik Wehner, Fresenius Medical Care’s Chief Executive Officer for Europe, Middle East and Africa, said: "The innovative 6008 CAREsystem is the next step in our Cardioprotective Hemodialysis concept: It offers a streamlined design to deliver advanced dialysis therapy more easily, leaving more time for direct patient care. As a result, more patients can benefit from improved outcomes and a higher level of care quality."

To enable significantly reduced complexity in therapy delivery, Fresenius Medical Care has developed a new, all-in-one disposable with completely pre-connected bloodlines for all treatment modalities.

Dr. Olaf Schermeier, the company’s Chief Executive Officer for Global Research and Development, stated: "Leveraging leading-edge technology, the new 6008 CAREsystem is designed to support physicians and caregivers. The reduction in the number of risk-related handling steps, and in the interactions required during the set-up and disconnection phases, reduce the pressure on staff and create an improved experience for the patient."

The numerous innovations built into the 6008 CAREsystem combine to create an enhanced dialysis therapy that enables better overall care for patients with chronic kidney failure. The 6008 CAREsystem also reduces the volume and weight of generated waste, making it even more cost-efficient and environmentally friendly.

The dialyzer (sometimes described as the "artificial kidney") and the dialysis machine are the two most important products in hemodialysis. While the dialyzer filters the patient’s blood, the dialysis machine pumps it and monitors its circulation outside the body. The machine also maintains the composition of the dialysis solution and introduces anticoagulants into the blood. Dialysis treatments generally last three to six hours, and are usually carried out three times a week.

More than half of all dialysis machines used worldwide are made by Fresenius Medical Care.

Fresenius expects new records for sales and earnings in the current business year. At the Annual General Meeting in Frankfurt today, Ulf Mark Schneider, CEO of Fresenius, confirmed the 2016 targets. The company is forecasting sales growth of 6 to 8 percent and an increase of 8 to 12 percent in net income, both in constant currency.

In his speech, Schneider also confirmed the company’s mid-term financial goals: “For fiscal 2019 we are targeting sales of €36 to €40 billion, and net income between €2 and €2.25 billion. This means a doubling of our net income within a period of just five years, and a fourfold increase in one decade.”

Schneider said that by combining a disciplined growth focus with operational and structural stability, the company has built a solid basis for excellent long-term performance. “2015 marked our 12th consecutive record year and delivered our 23rd straight dividend increase,” the Fresenius CEO added. “These results demonstrate that we are continuing to generate strong, stable growth over time.”

Shareholders approved with a majority of 90.68% the 23rd consecutive dividend increase proposed by the general partner and the Supervisory Board. The dividend was raised by 25% to €0.55 per share.

With clear majorities, the shareholders elected all candidates for a new Supervisory Board. Prof. Dr. med. Iris Löw-Friedrich, Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President of UCB S.A., and Hauke Stars, a Member of the Management Board of Deutsche Börse AG, were elected to the 12-member body for the first time, as shareholder representatives.

Shareholder majorities of 99.64% and 99.52%, respectively, approved the actions of the Management and Supervisory Boards in 2015.

At the Annual General Meeting, 72.73% of the subscribed capital was represented.

Fresenius Medical Care, the world’s leading provider of dialysis products and services, expects significant sales and earnings growth in 2016. At the Annual General Meeting in Frankfurt today, CEO Rice Powell confirmed the full-year guidance announced in February. The company is targeting 7 to 10 percent revenue growth in constant currency, and an increase in net income of 15 to 20 percent.

Powell also confirmed Fresenius Medical Care’s long-term financial goals: Revenue of $28 billion is targeted for 2020, corresponding to an average growth rate of about 10 percent. Over the same period, an annual, high single-digit percent increase in net income is expected.

“We have every reason to look to the future with great confidence,” Powell said in his speech to the shareholders. “In the past year, we have positioned ourselves to continue the unique success story of Fresenius Medical Care in the years to come. We will continue to grow our dialysis services and products business while actively shaping the development of the dialysis market. We are extending our range of related medical services in the area of Care Coordination.”

A large shareholder majority of 99.96 percent approved the company’s 19th consecutive dividend increase. The dividend will be raised from €0.78 to €0.80 per share.

All candidates for the new term of the Supervisory Board were elected by the shareholders with clear majorities. Joining the Board for the first time are Deborah Doyle McWhinney, former Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Citi Enterprise Payments (Citigroup, Inc.), and Pascale Witz, Executive Vice President, Global Diabetes & Cardiovascular at Sanofi S.A.

Shareholder majorities of 99.92%, respectively, approved the actions of the Management and Supervisory Boards in 2015.

At the Annual General Meeting, 77.77% of the subscribed capital was represented.

The next Annual General Meeting is scheduled for May 11, 2017.