The acquisition of Medel’s business gives Philips access to a new portfolio of nebulizers and inhalers and should help increase the company’s presence in the European market.
Medel markets a range of respiratory drug delivery devices, which will add to those Philips acquired through the takeover of Respironics.
Philips Home Healthcare Solutions CEO Don Spence, said: “When Philips acquired Respironics, the company also had a leading respiratory drug delivery business. Building upon that strength and fulfilling on our ambition to expand our high-growth compressor nebulizer systems franchise, we decided to acquire the aerosol therapy business of Medel.”
The company believes this will help it provide better treatments for patients with a range of ailments, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and cystic fibrosis.
Establishing a manufacturing presence in China
Philips has also acquired Hong Kong-based Melhk and its Chinese subsidiary Melmedical. From this purchase Philips has gained a facility for the manufacture of nebulizer compression systems in Guandong in southern China.
This will provide Philips with cheaper manufacturing operations as well as Melhk’s logistics and distribution network.
The acquisition follows Philips’ takeover of Shenzhen Goldway Industrial in April 2008 and forms part of the company’s strategy to increase its market share in emerging economies.