Respironics bolsters vent offering

March 8, 2004 MURRYSVILLE, Pa. - Respironics paid $5.5 million to acquire Western Biomedical Technologies, an Ireland-based company that owns Caradyne Limited, which develops, manufactures and markets ventilation and humidification technology. Respironics announced the deal last week. “This acquisition brings to Respironics complementary technologies expanding the benefits of our Total Ventilation Solution,” said Respironics President and CEO John Miclot. “Caradyne's Whisperflow technology for example has application in noninvasive ventilation in the pre-hospital and emergency room settings. This broadens our noninvasive ventilation offering from hospital and homecare to paramedic crews where critical intubation decisions are often made.” Miclot further noted that Caradyne's air generation technologies, with integrated humidification, are exciting additions to Respironics' sleep and respiratory product portfolio and further enhance our product development efforts. Caradyne, and Ireland-based company, was established in 1998 and specializes in the design and manufacture of respiratory therapy equipment with an expertise in positive pressure ventilation. The company is focused on providing innovative noninvasive devices for use in hospitals, and pre-hospital applications. The Whisperflow product line provides a comprehensive noninvasive ventilation treatment solution effective for treating a wide range of adult and pediatric respiratory conditions. Most notably, it is designed to reduce the patients' work of breathing, improve oxygen uptake and is highly portable and easy to use. “This strategic acquisition clearly fits into our market needs approach of developing or acquiring technologies that will meet the emerging needs of our customers and offer avenues for expansion of our business,” added Miclot.