Physio-Control acquires Jolife
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Medtronic subsidiary Physio-Control has bought Jolife, a Swedish specialist in chest compression technology, for an undisclosed fee. Privately-held, Lund-based Jolife's flagship product is the LUCAS automated chest compression system, which Physio-Control has distributed on an exclusive basis since 2004. Physio-Control says the acquisition complements its existing offerings used during cardiac resuscitation, including the LIFEPAK line of external defibrillators and monitors. The Redmond, Washington firm believes that the LUCAS technology, which is sold in most major markets, will "become a mainstay in the field of resuscitation in the future". Last week, Medtronic said it was increasing its efforts to sell Physio-Control after reporting modest financial growth (www.clinica.co.uk, 23 February 2011). The business has a lower profit margin compared to other Medtronic businesses, despite recording fiscal Q3 sales of $104m, a 4% increase over the previous year.