Bracco Acquires Acist Medical Systems

An important supplier of advanced injection systems for contrast media, Acist Medical Systems Inc. (Minneapolis, MN, USA), has been acquired by the Bracco Group (Milan, Italy), which occupies a prominent position in the field of diagnostic imaging. Terms were not disclosed. Acist expects 2001 sales to reach about US$20 million.

Acist currently has more than 500 of its injection systems installed throughout the world. Its devices allow fully automatic and controlled administration of fluids injected during x-ray procedures, increasing safety and reliability while reducing cost and execution time. These devices allow a doctor to pre-program pressure, volume, and flow of the fluids used in cardiac catheterization procedures, including contrast media.

The acquisition expands Bracco's line of products in the field of diagnostic imaging. It also fits with Bracco's overall acquisition strategy, begun in the late 1990s, with the purchase of a controlling interest in the Esaote Group and the buyback of Merck's share in Bracco. The company had sales of $900 million in 2000. "Acist will strengthen our integrated imaging products and systems portfolio, which ranges from tools used purely for diagnosis to systems used for interventional procedures and post-operative follow-up,” said Diana Bracco, CEO of Bracco.




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