Vygon Group acquires Advanced Perfusion Diagnostics (APD), specialist start-up in innovative monitoring devices

Écouen, France, January 22, 2020 – Vygon, the specialist single-use medical devices group, today announces its takeover of Lyon-based start-up Advanced Perfusion Diagnostics (APD), which specializes in the development of innovative monitoring solutions for critical care and the operating room. The financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.

Scientific studies have shown that re-establishing macrovascular blood flow (cardiac output and blood pressure) after critical surgery or in cases of sepsis does not necessarily improve patient outcomes. While no clinical proof has been established to date, it appears that microvascular blood flow, i.e. blood flow in the arterioles, venules and capillaries, is not always aligned with macrovascular blood flow.

APD, founded in 2014, has developed IKORUS^®, a device that detects changes in visceral microvascular blood flow in the most critically ill hospital patients. There are currently no professional tools for continuous real-time monitoring of visceral microvascular blood flow in shock states. IKORUS offers real progress, by addressing an unmet need in anesthesia and critical care. It obtained CE marking in June 2019, enabling the launch of an expanded clinical trial phase with several leading European centers.

IKORUS, combined with the IKORUS UP Foley catheter, introduces a new indicator known as ‘uPI’, the urethral Perfusion Index. The ‘intelligent’ catheter relies on a sensor, which is affixed to the wall of the urethra and helps evaluate the quality of the microvascular blood flow.

The use of IKORUS in conjunction with Vygon’s critical care offering provides physicians – and ultimately patients – with a complete monitoring solution for both macrovascular and microvascular blood flow, using an identical approach that combines sterile medical devices and monitors.

“This acquisition is in line with our strategy of external growth. APD is an ideal fit for our vision and a start-up that we have been keeping an eye on for some time,” said Stéphane Regnault, CEO of Vygon Group. “Manufacture of the monitor will be brought in-house in 2020, at Medwin, near Montpellier in France, our specialist production site for active medical devices. This will give Vygon the ability to provide its international customers with a comprehensive product range for critical surgery.”

“Vygon’s renowned expertise in medical devices is a major advantage for the IKORUS solution. We will be able to continue developing intelligent, innovative medical solutions for individual monitoring of critically ill patients,” said Ludovic Richard-Vitton, Vygon’s vice president, Critical Care.

The APD acquisition follows the start-up’s entry into receivership in October 2019. The takeover of the company includes technology, patents and the onboarding of APD’s staff.

About Vygon Group

Vygon designs, manufactures and markets high-tech single-use medical devices for healthcare professionals in hospital and for private and independent practitioners. Vygon is a world leader within this industry, offering a wide range of products in a number of clinical specialties. Organized in five business units (Critical Care – Obstetrics Neonatology Enteral – Intravascular Therapies – Cardiovascular & Surgery – Anesthesia & Emergency), Vygon combines local and international in-depth expertise and know-how in each individual field. With expertise right along the value chain, from product design to the delivery of training for medical personnel, Vygon provides health care professionals with effective and innovative products tailored to their needs and those of their patients, for optimum use and safety.

The company distributes over 205 million products a year in more than 120 countries through its network of 26 subsidiaries and 331 distributors. Vygon products display the CE and/or FDA mark and are manufactured in the group’s eight factories in Europe, the USA and Colombia.

A family company founded in 1962, Vygon is based in Ecouen, in France’s Greater Paris region. It is a mid-sized business employing 2,350 staff worldwide. Turnover in 2018 was €323 million ($360M), with 81% of this derived from Vygon’s international business.

www.vygon.com