SOUTH JORDAN, Utah, July 24, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Merit Medical Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:MMSI), a leading manufacturer and marketer of proprietary disposable devices used primarily in cardiology and radiology procedures, announced today that it has acquired technology from Lightek Corporation for flexible radiopaque plastic laminate composition.
The acquisition includes the pending intellectual property, know-how, processes and current customer list. The maximum payment will be $600,000 plus an ongoing royalty and will be based on completion of certain milestones and future sales.
"This proprietary technology is being incorporated into many of Merit's new products," said Fred P. Lampropoulos, Merit's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "The technology has many advantages over metal band technology and will help to provide what we believe to be a safer and more advanced technology."
The transaction also provides other opportunities for cooperation and development of emerging technology.
ABOUT MERIT
Founded in 1987, Merit Medical Systems, Inc. is engaged in the development, manufacture and distribution of proprietary disposable medical devices used in interventional and diagnostic procedures, particularly in cardiology and radiology. Merit serves client hospitals worldwide with a domestic and international sales force totaling approximately 90 individuals. Merit employs approximately 1,700 people worldwide, with facilities in Salt Lake City and South Jordan, Utah; Santa Clara, California; Angleton, Texas; Richmond, Virginia; Maastricht and Venlo, The Netherlands; and Galway, Ireland.
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Statements contained in this release, which are not purely historical, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995 and are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Merit's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. Such risks and uncertainties include product recalls and product liability claims; infringement of Merit's technology or the assertion that Merit's technology infringes the rights of other parties; termination of relationship with suppliers, or failure of suppliers to perform; unable to successfully manage growth through acquisitions; delays in obtaining regulatory approvals, or the failure to maintain such approvals; significant portion of our revenues are derived from a few products and procedures; development of new products and technology that could render Merit's products obsolete, market acceptance of new products, introduction of products in a timely fashion, price and product competition, availability of labor and materials, cost increases, and fluctuations in and obsolescence of inventory; market price of our common stock has been and may continue to be volatile; foreign currency fluctuations; key personnel; work stoppage or transportation risks; modification or limitation of governmental or private insurance reimbursement, changes in health care markets related to health care reform initiatives; and other factors referred to in the Company's 10-K and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All subsequent forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results. Financial estimates are subject to change and are not intended to be relied upon as predictions of future operating results, and Merit assumes no obligation to update or disclose revisions to those estimates.