Stronger Medical-Device Sales Boost KCI’s Earnings

San Antonio-based Kinetic Concepts reported net income of $48.5 million, or 66 cents per diluted share, on revenues of $319.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2006. This compares to net income of $37.2 million, or 51 cents per diluted share, on revenues of $280 million for the same quarter a year ago. Higher sales of Kinetic Concepts Inc.’s flagship V.A.C. wound-healing device led to a 31 percent increase in first-quarter earnings, the company said Tuesday.
    “Our first-quarter results reflect physicians’ and patients’ increasing acceptance of KCI’s V.A.C. as the therapy of choice in dealing with difficult to heal wounds,” said Dennert O. WareKCI President and CEO. He added that the company’s products are helping hospitals to improve patient outcomes while lowering the total cost of care.
    For the quarter, KCI’s worldwide revenue of its V.A.C. (Vacuum Assisted Closure) devices rose 23 percent, to $243 million. The company’s revenue from its surface business — which includes specialty mattresses and hospital beds — declined 7 percent, to $76.3 million for the quarter.
    KCI is a global medical technology company that designs and manufactures advanced wound care and therapeutic surfaces.