Posts from — June 2009

press release:

VMH HEALTH Awarded “Most Promising Life Science Technology Company” at Rice Alliance Life Science Venture Forum
HOUSTON – June 15, 2009 – VMH HEALTH was named one of the most promising Life Science companies at the 8th Annual Rice Alliance for Technology & Entrepreneurship Life Science Venture Forum in Houston last week.

Life Science companies showcased their new ventures for an audience of more than 400 attendees, including investors, venture capitalists, industry representatives, business leaders, advisors/mentors, service providers, and entrepreneurs.

Cynthia A. Doerr, M.D., partner, Essex Woodlands Health Ventures said of the presenters, “This is one of the most mature groups of healthcare-related company presentations that I have reviewed in Houston, and I intend to follow their progress closely.”
VMH Health is a spin-out company from Texas A&M Health Science Center and Scott and White Healthcare. The company has licensed patented technologies from these organizations to develop a diagnostic device and therapy for essential hypertension. The patents are based on over 25 years of research by scientist-physician Dr. Jules Puschett. The company is working with INCELL Corporation in San Antonio to manufacture the prototypes for diagnostic testing and therapeutics, and continues a collaborative effort with Texas A&M Health Science Center and Scott and White Healthcare to develop and commercialize the company’s products.
CEO, Gary Litwin, said of the recognition “we’re very pleased to have been recognized for our company’s efforts to date; we believe this news helps to validate our business mission”.

The one day event culminated in an announcement of the Most Promising Life Science Companies chosen from nearly 35 competitors and judged by the Rice Alliance Information Technology Advisory Board, based on the companies’ elevator pitch presentations. The exercise simulates meeting an investor on an elevator and having only 90 seconds to convince them to invest in your company.
In addition, five other new life science technology companies were pre-selected to present their 10 minute business plan presentation at the forum, and as one of the chosen five, were also named a Most Promising Life Science Technology Company.
Rice Alliance Director Brad Burke, announced the winners of the Most Promising Life Science Company awards at the event. “Every year the quality of companies improves. Many of the companies at this year’s event have developed prototypes, obtained proven results and are on their second round of funding. This makes them more appealing to investors, who have also expressed appreciation for the quality of the companies.”

The Forum was supported by Baker Botts, LLP, Essex Woodlands Health Ventures, Winstead Attorneys and Oracle with media sponsors Houston Business Journal and the BusinessMakers Radio Show. Elevator pitches from the competition can be heard at businessmakersradioshow.com starting June 20, 2009.

More information is available at:
vmhhealth.com and VMHHEALTH CEO Gary Litwin
glitwin@vmhhealth.com

Source: Medcity interview by Mary Vanac

She asked Mixon:

Q. What do you think about the proposal for a government-backed health insurance plan?
A. I believe in the free market. But I think there are people who … aren’t faring well under capitalism. I think Americans feel that no one should be left out.

Q. How might a government health-care plan affect Invacare?
A. Invacare does business in 80 countries. Canada and England are government-run health care systems. We do very, very well well in those countries. And the home-care reimbursement [there] in many cases is better than they have in America.

So do other homecare companies – it’s hard to argue with the above, except to add that most European countries actively support their citizens and their health, be it at home or otherwise. They also have competitive bidding programs similar to the US proposal (for example Germany) but the governments ensure a basic fundamental right to healthcare for all their citizens – no matter what – it’s the law.

Kinda neat?

Press release:

ELYRIA, Ohio–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Invacare Corporation (NYSE: IVC) has been named to FORTUNE Magazine’s 2009 FORTUNE 1000, ranking 983. The FORTUNE 1000 list is an annual ranking of America’s 1000 largest corporations based on revenue.
[Read more →]

Press Release:

Handicare: moving forward – growth strategy

The German healthcare market, like most healthcare markets today, is undergoing fast and necessary change in order to serve a dynamically growing customer base – notably the aging population with increasing need for enhanced mobility.

Handicare has been recognised as a leading supplier of a wide range of high-quality, innovative mobility products in Germany since the 1990’s, establishing its own operation in 1999. To further strengthen our position in this marketplace, Handicare is continually looking for new, innovative solutions and organisational development.

We are proud to announce that, following a successful launch in various European countries, Handicare’s new power wheelchair Alex, offering a new level of comfort and choice, will soon be available in Germany, too. From 1 January 2010 the Topro products will no longer be exclusively distributed by Handicare. More new mobility programme details will be announced as we move forward.

Handicare, however, has not only seen new initiatives in the area of mobility. Earlier this year, we successfully introduced the SystemRomedic, adding a complete transfer and lifting programme to our portfolio. Our ‘Leichter Leben’ concept has now become established and, with a growing private market, we anticipate further growth in this area. To achieve this, the product offering will continue to evolve.

Thomas Appel, who has played a leadership role in building Handicare in Germany, has decided to look for new challenges. He steps down from his position as general manager with immediate effect. Handicare thanks Thomas for his contribution over the years.

Handicare has engaged Frank Barlin, Managing Partner at Sibaya LifeScience! – a renowned European healthcare management consulting company – to lead the executive search for a new general manager and ensure a smooth transition.

Per Gunnar Borhaug, President and CEO of Handicare commented “We are confident that Handicare is well-positioned for future success and we will continue to provide you with the best possible solutions and support. Of course, we will keep you informed as we move forward”.

About Handicare
Handicare, one of the fastest growing healthcare companies in Europe, offers solutions and support to increase the independence of disabled or elderly people as well as to improve the convenience of those who are caring for them. The Group’s extensive range of products is designed to satisfy specific local market needs and includes high-quality mobility products, patient handling and bathroom safety products, stair lifts and car adaptations, as well as medical consumables and technical equipment. Handicare, headquartered in Moss, Norway, has long-established operations in Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Belgium, Poland, USA and Canada, and distributes its own products to an additional 30 markets. The Handicare Group reached a sales revenue of 225 million Euros in 2008.

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For more information, please contact:
Frank Barlin
Tel.: +49 (0)8142 4447770

Rens Schoenmakers
Senior Vice President
Tel.: +31 (0)492 593886

Per Gunnar Borhaug
President & CEO
Tel.: +47 69244458

More information here.