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MAQUET Cardiovascular Announces Acquisition of the Avalon Elite(R) Bi-Caval Dual Lumen Catheter and Complimentary Vascular Access Kits From Avalon Laboratories

RASTATT, Germany and RANCHO DOMINGUEZ, California, May 29/PRN=KYODO JBN/ --

                Acquisition Further Strengthens MAQUET's Suite of Products for

                               Extracorporeal Life Support

    MAQUET Cardiopulmonary, a business unit of MAQUET Cardiovascular and a

leader in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and extracorporeal life

support (ECLS) systems, today announced that they have signed an agreement with

Avalon Laboratories to acquire its Avalon Elite(R) Bi-Caval Dual Lumen Catheter

and complimentary vascular access kits for use during ECMO and ECLS.

    "It was our Cardiopulmonary business unit which started a paradigm shift in

moving extracorporeal life support into routine medical practice, most notably

through the introduction of new products such as CARDIOHELP. Through the

acquisition of the most advanced double lumen cannula we finally provide our

customers a complete range of best in class products from tip to tip", said

Christian Keller President and Chief Executive Officer MAQUET Cardiovascular.

    "The acquisition of the Bi-Caval Dual Lumen Catheter complements our

existing cardiopulmonary product line and strengthens our position as a leading

global provider of ECMO and ECLS technologies," said Dr. Wolfgang Rencken,

President and Chief Executive Officer of MAQUET Cardiopulmonary AG. "This

product acquisition is just another example of our commitment to providing our

customers with the most innovative and highest quality products available to

treat critically ill patients."

    "MAQUET's growing leadership in the cardiopulmonary space makes our

Bi-Caval Dual Lumen Catheter the ideal acquisition to further expand the number

of patients globally who can benefit from this device," said Michael Janish,

Chief Executive Officer of Avalon Laboratories.

    The patented Avalon Elite(R) Bi-Caval Dual Lumen Catheter is indicated for

simultaneous venous drainage and reinfusion of blood via the internal jugular

vein during extracorporeal life support procedures. The catheter is designed to

increase the efficiency of blood gas exchange by draining blood from both the

upper and lower body while simultaneously re-infusing it directly into the

heart. The catheter is also designed to minimize recirculation and maximize

blood flow while providing a less invasive solution for patients. The Avalon

Elite(R) Bi-Caval Dual Lumen Catheter has received 510(k) clearance from the

U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the CE Mark from the European Medicines

Agency.

    The Avalon Elite(R) Bi-Caval Dual Lumen Catheter rounds out MAQUET`s

cannula product line which also includes the state-of-the-art HLS single lumen

cannula line and conventional double lumen pediatric cannulae. The Avalon

Elite(R) product range will be available via the MAQUET global sales and

distribution channels as well as through existing Avalon distributors and will

be sold under the Trademark Avalon Elite(R).

    "With the addition of the Avalon Elite(R) catheter line, we now offer the

customers and patients we serve with a full range of minimally invasive venous

or arterial cannulation techniques for ECMO and ECLS," said Dr. Wolfgang

Rencken. "The Avalon Elite(R) Bi-Caval Dual Lumen Catheter is a state of the

art ECMO/ECLS technology that sets the standard for new MAQUET catheter

offerings in the future and will play an integral role in new cardiopulmonary

offerings from MAQUET."

    About MAQUET

    As a trusted partner for hospitals and clinicians since 1838, MAQUET is a

global leader in medical systems that advance surgical interventions,

cardiovascular procedures and critical care. MAQUET develops and designs

innovative products and therapeutic applications for the operating room, hybrid

OR/cath lab, intensive care unit and patient transport within acute care

hospitals, improving outcomes and quality of life for patients.

    Cardiovascular specialties include intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation

(IABC) therapy for cardiac assist; coronary artery bypass surgery; aortic and

peripheral vascular surgery; and extracorporeal circulation.

    The Critical Care portfolio includes market-leading intensive care

ventilators and anesthesia machines.

    MAQUET also equips Surgical Workplaces with critical infrastructure such as

flexible room design for OR and ICU; OR tables; lights and ceiling supply

units; and OR integration for image data management.

    MAQUET is a subsidiary of the publicly listed Swedish Getinge Group. In

2011, MAQUET generated nearly 1.4 billion Euro which is more than half of the

Group's annual revenue of 2.4 billion Euros. The GETINGE Group has 13,000

employees worldwide, including around 6,000 MAQUET employees in 40

international sales and service organizations, as well as a network of more

than 280 sales representatives. For more information please visit

http://www.maquet.com and http://www.getingegroup.com.

    MAQUET Cardiopulmonary AG

    Kehler Str.31

    D-76437 Rastatt, Germany

    Press Contact: Juergen Grubmueller

    Phone: +49-7222-932-1193

    Fax:  +49(0)7222-932-1888

    Email: juergen.grubmueller@maquet.com

    SOURCE: MAQUET