In brief: Apria, Lyncore, Next, F&P, Respironics

LAKE FOREST, Calif. - Apria Healthcare has completed its $350-million acquisition of Coram, the company announced Dec. 3. The Denver-based Coram provides home infusion therapies and specialty pharmaceuticals to 65,000 patients through a network of more than 70 home infusion branches, 50 company-owned and operated ambulatory infusion suites and 2,100 employees. Combined with Apria's existing patient base, the company's new home infusion department, which will remain headquartered in Denver, cares for about 100,000 patients annually. Lynncore debuts DME line SHERMAN, Texas - Lynncore Medgroup, a provider of adult diapers, has launched a line of durable medical equipment on its Web site, www.lynncore.com. Lynncore has partnered with Drive Medical to provide electric scooters, including Drive's "Hawk" and "Phantom," bathroom safety equipment, walking aids and other DME. Lynncore recently registered No. 325 on Entrepreneur Magazine's list of "Hot 500 Fastest Growing Companies in America." Next up for Next Mobility: TefTec CANTON, Mich. - Next Mobility completed its acquisition of TefTec in mid-October. The start-up wheelchair manufacturer has moved production of TefTec's chairs to Canton, Mich., Next's headquarters. TefTec designed the OmegaTrac, a rugged front-wheel drive, transmission-steered, powered wheelchair. The company's BetaTrac wheelchair has a similar frame as the OmegaTrac, but it is designed for individuals weighing more than 450 pounds. Fisher & Paykel grows revenue AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Fisher & Paykel Healthcare achieved solid revenue in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 compared to the same period last year: OSA products increased 21%, and respiratory and acute care products increased 15%, the company reported Nov. 22. Operating profits for the first six months of 2007 were $31.2 million compared to $41.1 million last year; profit after tax was $18.7 million compared to $26.3 million. The reduction in profits reflects the effect of the much stronger New Zealand dollar and increased R&D, sales and operational expenses, the company reported. Respironics boosts sales 17% MURRYSVILLE, Pa. - Respironics reported net sales of $311.6 million for the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2007, a 17% increase compared to the same quarter in 2006. Domestic revenues were $209 million, a 15% increase; international revenues were $102.7 million, a 21% increase. Net income was $27.5 million, a 22% increase. Recent acquisitions added about $3.4 million in revenues for the quarter and "favorable changes in foreign currency rates" added about $900,000. Domestically, Respironics experienced 18% growth in sleep products; internationally, the company experienced 24% growth in sleep products. CDC: Obesity increases slowing WASHINGTON - After years of climbing, obesity levels are flattening out a bit, says a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), according to a report released Nov. 28, "Obesity Among Adults in the United States--No Change Since 2003-2004." More than one-third of U.S. adults--over 72 million people--were obese in 2005-2006. This includes 33% of men and 35% of women. In 2003-2004, 31.1% of men and 33% percent of women were obese. Adults aged 40-59 had the highest rates of obesity compared with other age groups. Approximately 40% of men in this age group were obese, compared with 28% of men aged 20-39, and 32% of men aged 60 and older. Among women, 41% 40-59 were obese compared with 31% of women aged 20-39. Women aged 65 and older had obesity rates comparable with women in the 20 to 39 age group.