Category — Press Release

Press release:

Virginia Legislature Passes Bill Requiring Reimbursement for Telemedicine

Contact: Ben Forstag, American Telemedicine Association, 202-223-3333 March 3, 2010

WASHINGTON, DC – By a unanimous vote, the Virginia State Legislature yesterday approved SB 675 mandating that health insurers pay for telemedicine services. Governor McDonnell is expected to sign the bill into law.

“This is one more indication that telemedicine is now fully accepted by providers, policy makers, consumers and insurers as an important way to increase access, improve quality and reduce costs in the delivery of healthcare” said Jonathan D. Linkous, CEO of the American Telemedicine Association (ATA).
[Read more →]

Press Release:

DMLA, quatre lettres pour perdre la vue.

RETINA FRANCE soutient, aide et renseigne les nombreuses personnes dans notre pays atteintes par un problème visuel.

La DMLA, dégénérescence maculaire liée à l’âge, touche plus d’un million de personnes en détruisant progressivement le centre de la rétine, appelé Macula. Peu à peu la vision des détails, comme le visage d’un proche ou les horaires des transports en commun, disparaît, laissant place petit à petit à l’isolement, la dépression et quelquefois malheureusement au suicide.

« Même pour aller voter aux élections régionales, il faudra se faire aider et dévoiler notre vote, c’est vraiment frustrant » confie Martine, malvoyante de 54 ans.

L’association RETINA FRANCE, première association de patients et reconnue d’utilité publique, a décidé d’agir pour sensibiliser aux maladies de la rétine. Elle a obtenu le prix de la transparence financière pour son soutien à la recherche avec vos dons et legs mais souhaite aller encore plus loin en sensibilisation le Grand Public.

Dès à présent, un livret bleu comprenant un test visuel sera offert sur simple demande au siège de l’association avec le numéro Azur mis en place : 0 810 30 20 50 ou via le site internet www.retina.fr, rubrique « Nous contacter »

« Ce test est important pour bénéficier dans certains cas des premières thérapies existantes. Il ne faut donc pas attendre et quelquefois demander un rendez vous en urgence » déclare Jean Jacques Frayssinet, Président de RETINA FRANCE et malvoyant lui-même.

Alors contactez Retina France car vous pourrez faire un test de vision chez vous avec la grille d’Amsler qui vous sera offerte et consulter un ophtalmologiste dès l’apparition des premiers signes évocateurs.

ASSOCIATION RETINA FRANCE
www.retina.fr
2 chemin du Cabirol
31770 COLOMIERS

PRESS RELEASE

Robert MacPherson has recently joined Pan Globus as UK Managing Director. Robert has worked within the medical device industry since 1979 and has held several positions in major companies involving international sales and marketing. He graduated in nursing from Forth Valley College of nursing and later studied Strategic Marketing and Planning at Harvard Business School. Robert spent several years working for Becton Dickinson and followed this with senior management roles at Spacelab’s, Intertech Resources and Smiths Medical.

Since 1995 he has been the Managing Director of Connect Medical Resources Ltd. a specialist recruitment firm serving the medical device industry. Robert has worked extensively in strategic planning and the management of acquisitions. He is a partner in CMC a German based healthcare consultancy firm. Now based in Oxfordshire he has extensive knowledge of the International healthcare industry.

Commenting on his appointment he stated “This is a most exciting time to join Pan Globus. We have a unique product offering to help companies build their international business and drive the adoption of new and innovative medical devices. Our ability to not only identify the best distributors for our clients, but to also provide clinical support for the customer means that sales can be developed as quickly as possible. This service will generate vital revenues for emerging device businesses. We can offer a truly comprehensive service which covers sales, support, recruitment and regulatory advice”

Pan Globus is an International Business Management company specializing in assisting healthcare start ups and small to mid size enterprises leverage their international sales opportunities within medical device, pharmaceutical, diagnostics, equipment and disposables market areas. Sales and in field clinical support are provided with a multi-national team of experienced managers along with established distribution networks in Europe, Russia/CIS, Canada, Latin America, the Middle East, Asia and India. Pan Globus Limited is a UK-registered company and direct subsidiary of Pan Globus FZC, a Dubai-based registered company.
For more information visit www.panglobus.com or contact p.welsh@panglobus.com

Press Release:

Handicare takes the next step to success

2 February 2010 – Midlands based Stairlift manufacturer Minivator has signed a deal to become the latest member of the family of companies in the Norwegian based Handicare, subject to regulatory approval.

Previously owned by its Directors and Gresham PE, Minivator Group has had an exceptional growth record, indeed it continued to experience double digit growth throughout the testing economic climate of recent years. With a core product range of stairlifts Minivator has expanded its presence establishing operations in North America and Germany and have recently started its own manufacturing base in the Far East. It has seen expansion within the UK having taken on new premises at least four times in the last three years.

As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of stairlifts with a turnover of approx. 55 million Euro, and 420 employees selling to over 35 countries the Minivator Group was a desirable prospect for many companies. The board were in no rush to sell, choosing instead to spend time finding the perfect partner to move forward with. They found such a match with the Handicare Group. Minivator CEO Mike Lord commented “We were looking for a buyer who not only made sound business sense but who was also a great fit with the culture and values that Minivator holds at its core. We are delighted with the deal and are looking forward to seeing what the future holds. We believe exciting times are ahead and being part of a larger and well established group that holds similar ethical beliefs will open up many opportunities that will be mutually beneficial and rewarding.”

The healthcare company Handicare AS, owned by Herkules Private Equity Fund1, was founded in 1986 and has operations in technical aids like wheelchairs and home care products in addition to adaptation of cars for elderly and physically disabled people. Through its subsidiary Puls, the Group also has a leading position in Norway in the sales of capital goods and consumables to hospitals and institutions. Handicare has its headquarters in Moss, Norway, and has subsidiaries in Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, England, Belgium, Poland, USA and Canada, and distribute its own products to an additional 30 markets. Handicare has just shy of 1000 employees and reached sales over 250 million Euro in 2009.

Handicare CEO Per Gunnar Borhaug explained “Handicare has grown both organically and through the acquisition of successful companies that had the same drive as Handicare: the desire to provide excellent products and services that help improve the quality of life for the less able, the elderly and those who care for them. Having identified Minivator Group as a financially promising acquisition target we were delighted to find that they had the kind of culture that would fit right in with Handicare’s other companies.”

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For further information concerning this press release please contact:

Per Gunnar Borhaug, CEO Handicare, +47 69 24 44 28

Mike Lord, CEO Minivator, +44 (0) 1384 40 87 00

[1] Herkules Private Equity Fund 1 is an investment fund with Euro 250 million in capital from 25 Norwegian and international investors. Herkules Capital has in total 1,4 bill Euro under its administration. HPEF has a financial strength which enables them to take a dominant position of ownership in well-established companies with a potential for further growth. Herkules acquired Handicare in July 2005 and has during the latest three years tripled the size of Handicare and is aiming for further growth.

More about Handicare over time on this blog

Press Release:

Etac Holland BV, which is a 100% daughter of the Swedish Care-concern Etac AB, is a brand new enterprise with its main target to sell Balder electric wheelchairs in the Dutch and Belgian market space. We are housed in a new, modern and fully equipped location in Alkmaar, perfectly accessible close to the A9 Highway.

The Balder Finesse, Balder Liberty and Balder Junior electric wheelchairs have been well known in the rehab-market for their endless possibilities for years. For Etac and its customers only the best is good enough. With the coming launch of the new models E400 ad E800 electric wheelchairs Etac is ready for the future!

Press release:

Handicare acquires Ligtvoet Products

Helmond – 30 June 2009 – Handicare acquires manufacturing company Ligtvoet Products, part of the Harting-Bank Group. Ligtvoet Products, also known as Lipro, develops and manufactures care and rehab mobility products for disabled people. The dealer organisation Ligtvoet will continue to be part of the Harting-Bank Group.

Ligtvoet Products, based in Helmond, the Netherlands, is a former family business which started as a bicycle manufacturer. Since 1965 Ligtvoet Products has specialized in developing and manufacturing high-quality comfort and rehab mobility products. Ligtvoet Products has a strong position in the Dutch market and export sales to Belgium and Switzerland. For now, Ligtvoet Products will continue to operate independently under the name Lipro. Handicare aims to integrate the company’s activities into the Handicare organisation by the end of the year. Handicare will take over all Ligtvoet Products’ staff.

Handicare is one of the fastest growing healthcare companies in Europe. The company 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 acquisition of Ligtvoet Products is part of Handicare’s growth ambitions. ”We will grow both organically and through acquisitions and we have a strong development internationally”, says Rens Schoenmakers, Senior Vice President Mobility of Handicare. ”With the expertise and products of Ligtvoet Products we are now able to offer a wider range of manual and power wheelchairs, and scooters. This will strengthen our position in the Netherlands as well as in other geographical markets,” says Schoenmakers.

”We are very positive about Ligtvoet Products becoming part of Handicare,” says Marco Jungschlager, CEO of Harting-Bank Group. ”The activities of Ligtvoet Products have a very good fit with Handicare. The organisation, expertise and extensive dealer network of Handicare can contribute to further development of the Lipro products. Additionally, we are very happy for our staff. Their jobs remain in the Netherlands, close to our operation in Helmond. Our Group will be able to fully focus on service and supplying solutions to the end users,” says Jungschlager.

About Handicare
The healthcare company Handicare AS, owned by Herkules Private Equity Fund, was founded in 1986 and 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. Handicare’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. Through its subsidiary Puls, the Handicare Group also has a leading position in Norway in the sales of capital goods and consumables to hospitals and institutions. 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.

About Harting-Bank Group
Harting-Bank B.V., owned by NPM-Capital since 2006, was founded in 1836 and is a service-provider and supplier of care and rehab products for disabled people. The company focuses on the Dutch market, where it offers services on behalf of various customers to their clients. Customers include local authorities and health insurers. The Harting-Bank Group operates under various labels, including Harting-Bank and Ligtvoet. The Group has country-wide coverage with over 25 independent operations. Harting-Bank has chosen to focus on service and supplying solutions to end users and on qualitative and controlled growth. The Group reached a sales revenue of 100 million Euro in 2008.

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For more information, please contact:
Juliet de Kleijn
Communication Specialist
Handicare
T: +31 (0)492 593893
M: +31 (0)6 46308415
E: juliet.dekleijn@handicare.com

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