Vygon, the specialist single-use medical devices group, has acquired Medwin, a company based in southern France, specialized in enteral nutrition (feeding pumps) and related accessories. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The aim of the operation is to consolidate Vygon’s nutritional medical device portfolio, particularly its series of feeding pumps for use in both hospital settings and in home-based care. Medwin has a 15 year history of producing feeding pumps. Its products include a range of compact, silent, easy-to-activate enteral feeding pumps for ambulatory use with the EasyMoov pump, or for use in stationary mode (with a drip chamber) with the EasyLit pump.
Based near Montpellier, Medwin generated a turnover of EUR 2.6 million (USD 3.5 million) in 2013. The company was founded in 1999 and employs 20 members of staff, who will be transferred to the Vygon Group. Eric Longer has been appointed as general manager of Medwin. He also retains his role as Vygon’s international homecare director.
“We are delighted with this acquisition, which is a perfect fit with our Group’s commitment to external growth,” explained Stéphane Regnault, chairman of Vygon’s board of management. “Health care professionals recognize the quality of Medwin’s products and manufacturing processes. This tie-in means that we can provide our clients with an enhanced enteral nutrition offering and consolidate our position in international markets.”
Medwin’s enteral nutrition products display the CE label. They are manufactured in France in a facility that has achieved ISO 9001 quality management certification and EN 13485 certification for medical device quality management. The company has filed ten patents since it was founded. Ownership of these patents now transfers to Vygon.
Enteral nutrition is an artificial feeding technique that replaces standard meals with liquid food for individuals who can no longer feed themselves by mouth, but whose digestive system continues to function. It is administered via a gastric feeding tube.
The technique is used in some cancers and for coma patients. It is also indicated in case of difficulty swallowing as a result of stroke or muscle disease, as well as in the elderly.
Worldwide sales of oral and enteral nutrition products totaled nearly USD 9 billion (EUR 6.6 billion) in 2011.
Vygon designs, manufactures and markets high-tech single-use medical devices for health care professionals in hospital and for private and independent practitioners.