Agfa-Gevaert may soon be on the prowl for acquisitions in the medical imaging sector. If the sale of the Mortsel, Belgium-based firm's consumer imaging operations is completed, Agfa plans to use the proceeds to develop its medical businesses, according to an article by the AFX News service.
This investment could include buying small start-up companies, rather than developing new technologies in-house, Agfa CEO Klaus Seeger told AFX News. Agfa has a wish list of potential acquisitions that would strengthen the position of both its graphics systems and technical imaging divisions, and particularly medical imaging, Seeger said.
In medical imaging, Agfa plans to move towards service-based products such as clinical information systems and electronic patient records, Seeger said. After first building on its base in radiology, the company will move into "other ologies" such as cardiology and pathology, he said.
Agfa has received an offer for the film, finishing, and laboratory equipment business units (85% of Agfa's consumer imaging sales), with an option to acquire the whole division, Seeger said. No final agreement has been reached. Seeger told the news service that Agfa will announce the outcome of talks with the potential buyer at the firm's annual shareholders meeting on April 24.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writersApril 3, 2001
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