BROOKLYN PARK, Minnesota –Â Gambro, a Denver-based medical device company, has agreed to purchase CHF Solutions Inc. for an undisclosed sum.
The deal comes a week after privately-held CHF disclosed in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing that it raised $1.8 million from investors. Founded in 1999, CHF’s core technology is the Aquadex FlexFlow System, a device that removes excess fluids, primarily water, from the blood of patients suffering from congestive heart failure, renal failure, metabolic diseases and post-surgery complications.
CHF’s technology seems to fit well with Gambro, which specializes in treating damaged kidneys with renal replacement therapies, including hemofiltration and dialysis. Founded in 1963, Gambro employs more than 8,000 workers and generates sales from than 100 countries.
A Deep-dive Into Specialty Pharma
A specialty drug is a class of prescription medications used to treat complex, chronic or rare medical conditions. Although this classification was originally intended to define the treatment of rare, also termed “orphan” diseases, affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the US, more recently, specialty drugs have emerged as the cornerstone of treatment for chronic and complex diseases such as cancer, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS.
“Gambro and CHF share a common dedication to pioneering life-saving therapies for patients,” Nick Mendez, president of the Gambro Acute Business Unit, said in a statement. “This acquisition will enable Gambro to accelerate the adoption of ultrafiltration for fluid overload, thereby expanding our product offerings and providing a broader spectrum of care to patients. CHF brings a proven therapy, superior clinical results and established relationships with physicians.”
Anne Bonnelli, a spokeswoman for Gambro, said the company will operate CHF as standalone subsidiary. Gambro has not decided yet whether to retain CHF management, including CEO David Springer, she said.
