Teleflex Completes Two Acquisitions

Limerick Pa.-based Teleflex Inc., a provider of critical care and surgical devices, has acquired Eon Surgical Ltd. for an undisclosed sum. Eon is based in Israel and has developed a minimally invasive microlaparoscopy surgical platform technology designed to perform what the company claims is “scarless” surgery.

Microlaparoscopy provides surgeons a mechanism for performing minimally invasive procedures without significant changes in technique. According to Eon, the technology has the ability to be used for an entire procedure or as an adjunct to existing approaches that require additional access without adding to larger incisions and the associated risks.

Eon has been struggling with adoption of its technology. Teleflex’s acquisition is aimed at driving a broader market adoption for the microlaparoscopy devices.

“This acquisition is consistent with our focus on innovative technologies and will greatly expand Teleflex’s offerings that address the significant market opportunity for minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures,” said Benson Smith, chairman, president and CEO of Teleflex.

“We are proud to be associated with a prestigious industry partner like Teleflex,” said Danny Farin, CEO and co-founder of Eon Surgical. “This is a wonderful opportunity to accelerate the global expansion of our innovative platform, while providing the highest level of support to surgeons throughout the world. I am very thankful for the opportunity to work with Eon’s synergistic, highly skillful and professional team.”

Teleflex continued its buying spate with the acquisition of Australian company Ultimate Medical and its affiliates. Ultimate Medical makes airway management devices and has a range of laryngeal mask airways (LMA).

The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Ultimate Medical developed the Cuff Pilot, an integrated cuff pressure indicator for single-use airway management devices. The technology is claimed to provide constant inside-the-cuff pressure indication, allowing for at-a-glance clinical assessments.

The Cuff Pilot technology is currently used with Ultimate Medical’s portfolio of laryngeal masks and has potential application for use with Teleflex’s brand of LMA laryngeal masks.

Teleflex has had a development partnership with Ultimate Medical since April 2010 related to the integration of cuff pressure technology into some products and currently distributes Ultimate’s portfolio of laryngeal masks in select international markets.

In addition to the Cuff Pilot technology, the acquisition of Ultimate Medical further supports Teleflex’s strategy to grow global supraglottic airway procedural usage by expanding their LMA portfolio to include a full range of silicone laryngeal masks and other complementary products. The transaction also brings innovative technologies and intellectual property that is expected to bring value to Teleflex outside of the airway management device portfolio.

“We consider the acquisition of Ultimate Medical to be a perfect match,” said Liam Kelly, executive vice president and president of Teleflex International. “The acquisition of Ultimate Medical was a logical step after we acquired The Laryngeal Mask Company and its affiliates last year. This acquisition provides Teleflex with additional innovative, and cost-effective, airway management options for our customers and underscores our commitment to leadership in airway management medical devices.”