Centerpulse to Sell Heart Valve Business

In a further move to divest its cardiovascular interests, Centerpulse Ltd. (Zurich, Switzerland) has agreed to sell its mechanical and tissue heart valve business to Snia S.p.A. (Milan, Italy) for US$116 million. This business comprises Carbomedics (Austin, TX, USA) and Mitroflow (Vancouver, Canada).

Carbomedics manufactures and markets mechanical and tissue heart valves and heart valve repair products. Since its founding in 1969, nearly 500,000 Carbomedics heart valves have been implanted in human hearts with no single event of postoperative failure, says the company.

Snia is a global manufacturer and distributor of medical devices for cardiopulmonary, surgical blood recovery, heart valve, stent, pacemaker, and defibrillator markets. The acquisition is projected to increase the company's global sales of medical devices to more than US$750 million per year.

Centerpulse notes this is the third and final step in its plan to divest its cardiovascular interests. Earlier this year, the company sold its vascular businesses, Vascutek Ltd. and IntraTherapeutics, Inc. Centerpulse is refining its strategic focus to emphasize the core sectors of orthopedic, spine, and dental implants.




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