Acquisition of a Leader in Home Infusion Therapy in Germany
Air Liquide, the European homecare leader, has announced the acquisition of
Licher Medical Therapy (LMT), the German leader in medico-technical
management of Parkinson's disease and immunodeficient patients treated with
infusion therapy at home.
Created in 2000, Licher takes care of 420 Parkinson's disease patients on
apomorphine pumps and 1,200 immunodeficient patients. It reached a turnover of
Euros3.7 million in 2010. This company is known for its expertise in infusion therapy
and its innovative spirit, demonstrated notably by its development of medical
equipments (pumps) and specific consumables (catheters and syringes) designed
to improve the response to patients' needs.
To create a global offer in homecare for Parkinson's disease patients, Air Liquide
finalized an agreement for the distribution of apomorphine* in Germany and
Austria, marketed under the brand name APO-go, with the manufacturer of this drug,
the pharmaceutical company Britannia (STADAGroup).
Home infusion therapy is already well developed by Air Liquide in France. With this
acquisition, the Group strengthens its position as the leader in homecare in
Germany beyond the respiratory line. Home infusion therapy in this country, which
includes Parkinson's disease and immunodeficiency management, is on the rise, as it
is the case in the United States and France, which are referencemarkets in this field.
Pascal Vinet, Vice President, Healthcare World Business Line and member of the
Group Executive Committee, declared: "We are delighted with this acquisition
which allows us, beyond France, to become a major operator in Germany in the
global home healthcare management of Parkinson's disease and
immunodeficient patients treated with infusion therapy. It demonstrates our
development strategy in home healthcare and our commitment in the field of
infusion therapy. Health is one of the Group's growth drivers."
Air Liquide is the world leader in gases for industry, health and the environment, and is present in
80 countries with 43,600 employees. Oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and rare gases have been at the core of
Air Liquide's activities since its creation in 1902. Using these molecules, Air Liquide continuously reinvents its
business, anticipating the needs of current and future markets. The Group innovates to enable progress, to
achieve dynamic growth and a consistent performance.
