GOTHENBURG, Sweden, Aug. 20, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- Capio is acquiring Scandinavian Heart Center in Gothenburg. Scandinavian Heart Center focuses on cardiovascular surgery and performs slightly more than 550 operations each year. The company has a 6% share of the Swedish market. Scandinavian Heart Center's competence in the highly specialised area of cardiovascular surgery will constitute a solid base for a new leading-edge area of business within Capio Healthcare Nordic.
Capio will formally acquire Scandinavian Heart Center SHC AB in Gothenburg as per September 1, 2002. The company has annual sales of approx. SEK 65 M and a care-services contract with the Vastra Gotaland region to carry out 550 cardiovascular operations per year. The care- services contract with the region extends to mid-year 2006, with an option for extension.
"The acquisition of Scandinavian Heart Center is fully in line with our strategy to develop cardiovascular care as a leading-edge area of expertise within Capio. The company's high competence in the cardiovascular surgery area will make a strong contribution to the Healthcare Nordic business area. Today, Capio is active in cardiovascular surgery in the U.K. Furthermore, preparations are in progress at St. Goran's Hospital in Stockholm to commence so-called balloon angioplasty," said Ann-Sofi Lodin, Deputy Head of Capio Healthcare Nordic business area.
Heart-related problems are relatively common today and in Sweden approximately one fifth of all patients seeking emergency medical care show symptoms of cardiovascular disease. This means that there is substantial demand for various types of cardiovascular treatment. Approximately 10,000 cardiovascular operations are carried out per year in Sweden.
Scandinavian Heart Center commenced operations in 1985 and has been wholly owned by Gambro AB since 1994. Activities focus primarily on bypass operations, cardiac valve surgery and operations to correct congenital heart disorders. The majority of the staff of 70 people is nurses with specialist training.
Gothenburg, August 20, 2002 Capio AB (publ)
For further information, please contact: Ann-Sofi Lodin, Deputy Head of Capio +46 31 732 40 09, Healthcare Nordic business area: +46 70 632 11 65 Ulrika Stenson, Vice President, Corporate +46 70 590 07 23 Communications, Capio AB Janette Jennische, Vice President +46 8 613 65 99, Corporate Communications Gambro AB +46 70 212 50 53
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