Vygon Group Acquires Advanced Perfusion Diagnostics

Vygon, the specialist single-use medical devices group, has acquired Lyon-based start-up Advanced Perfusion Diagnostics (APD), which specializes in the development of innovative monitoring solutions for critical care and the operating room. The financial terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.
 
Founded in 2014, APD has developed Ikorus, a device that detects changes in visceral microvascular blood flow in the most critically ill hospital patients. There are currently no professional tools for continuous real-time monitoring of visceral microvascular blood flow in shock states. Ikorus offers real progress, by addressing an unmet need in anesthesia and critical care. It obtained CE marking in June 2019, enabling the launch of an expanded clinical trial phase with several leading European centers.
 
Ikorus, combined with the Ikorus Up Foley catheter, introduces a new indicator known as ‘uPI’, the urethral Perfusion Index. The ‘intelligent’ catheter relies on a sensor, which is affixed to the wall of the urethra and helps evaluate the quality of the microvascular blood flow.
 
The use of Ikorus in conjunction with Vygon’s critical care offering provides physicians—and ultimately patients—with a complete monitoring solution for both macrovascular and microvascular blood flow, using an identical approach that combines sterile medical devices and monitors.
 
“This acquisition is in line with our strategy of external growth. APD is an ideal fit for our vision and a start-up that we have been keeping an eye on for some time,” said Stéphane Regnault, CEO of Vygon Group. “Manufacture of the monitor will be brought in-house in 2020, at Medwin, near Montpellier in France, our specialist production site for active medical devices. This will give Vygon the ability to provide its international customers with a comprehensive product range for critical surgery.”
 
“Vygon’s renowned expertise in medical devices is a major advantage for the Ikorus solution. We will be able to continue developing intelligent, innovative medical solutions for individual monitoring of critically ill patients,” said Ludovic Richard-Vitton, Vygon’s vice president, Critical Care.
 
The APD acquisition follows the start-up’s entry into receivership in October 2019. The takeover of the company includes technology, patents, and the onboarding of APD’s staff.
 
Last year, Vygon acquired Pilot.