February 17, 2015 -- As expected, Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG; AEX: PHIA) today completed its acquisition of San Diego-based Volcano Corporation, making Philips the only manufacturer of cardiovascular imaging systems to offer both angiographic (X-ray) and intravascular imaging and guidance options.
The combination of Volcano's IVUS and FFR technology, along with Philips long-standing leadership in the interventional imaging field, promises to bring wider distribution of image-guided therapies. Fractional flow reserve (FFR) has been shown in several large studies to be an important modality, saving money, time and improving outcomes for patient. Yet, penetration of this technology has been limited to 25% or less (see our article, "FFR: Why Isn't Everyone Using It?"). However, as CEO Frans van Houten notes in the video below, one out of every three interventional angiographic imaging systems sold in the world is a Philips system, so the future for FFR and IVUS may be looking brighter.
St. Jude Medical offers its own FFR system and, as noted in Angioplasty.Org's coverage of FFR, newer systems from a variety of manufacturers are becoming available. But the wide distribution and sales network of a company as large as Philips will give a significant boost to these technologies.
About the Intravascular Guidance Center on Angioplasty.Org
To assist in educating the professional and patient population about these new imaging, measurement and therapetic techniques, Angioplasty.Org created the "Intravascular Guidance Center" in 2006: a special section which is devoted to information and news for both patients and physicians about intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), fractional flow reserve (FFR), optical coherence tomography (OCT) and other intravascular modalities. The Intravascular Guidance Center features overview articles, the latest news and interviews with leading practitioners of these techniques, such as Drs. Antonio Colombo, John McBarron Hodgson, Augusto Pichard, William Fearon and Nico Pijls.
A video from Philips and the company's press release follows:
Acquisition Expands Philips' Global Leadership Position in Image-Guided Therapy Market
February 17, 2015 -- Amsterdam, The Netherlands and San Diego -- Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG; AEX: PHIA) today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Volcano Corporation (NASDAQ: VOLC). Volcano's financial results will be consolidated as part of Philips' image-guided therapy business group as of February 17, 2015. Volcano generated sales of approximately USD 400 million in 2014 and employs approximately 1,800 employees. Philips' long-standing partnership with Volcano, the retention of key management members and in-depth preparations will facilitate the integration into Philips' image-guided therapy business group.
"The completion of the Volcano acquisition is an important milestone in our strategy to become the leading systems integrator in the fast growing image-guided minimally invasive surgery market and accelerate our growth in that market," said Frans van Houten, Chief Executive Officer of Royal Philips. "The combination of Volcano's broad portfolio of imaging and measurement catheters and Philips' leading interventional imaging solutions allow us to provide our customers with an integrated solution to improve procedural outcomes at a decisive stage in the health continuum. "
In image-guided treatments of the heart and blood vessels, there is increased clinical evidence which demonstrates that the use of imaging and measurement catheters in conjunction with interventional X-ray imaging helps improve procedural outcomes. Such catheters are single-use disposables, and Volcano is the only company in the industry with leading positions in both IVUS (intravascular ultrasound) catheters that are capable of producing ultrasound images of the interior of blood vessels and FFR (fractional flow reserve) catheters that are used to assess the blood flow. The acquisition complements Philips' existing portfolio of interventional X-ray and ultrasound imaging equipment, navigation systems, software and services, and creates new sources of recurring revenue streams.
The acquisition of Volcano occurred through a merger under Section 251(h) of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware following the successful completion of Philip's previously announced tender offer to purchase all outstanding shares of common stock of Volcano for USD 18.00 per share in cash, without interest, less any applicable withholding of taxes. The tender offer expired at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time, on February 17, 2015. As of the expiration of the tender offer, approximately 49,220,771 shares (including 2,967,581 shares tendered pursuant to guaranteed delivery procedures) were validly tendered and not properly withdrawn in the tender offer, which represented 94.8% of the outstanding Volcano shares, according to the depositary for the tender offer. All conditions to the tender offer having been satisfied, Philips accepted for payment all shares that were validly tendered and not properly withdrawn. Philips is financing the acquisition through a combination of cash on hand and the issuance of debt.
As a result of the merger, all remaining Volcano shares were converted into the right to receive USD 18.00 per share in cash, without interest, less any applicable withholding of taxes, the same price that was paid in the tender offer.
Volcano has requested that NASDAQ files a Form 25 with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission causing the delisting of Volcano's common stock from NASDAQ. Volcano's common stock will cease trading prior to the opening of trading on February 18, 2015.
