AngioDynamics To Acquire Vortex Medical

ALBANY, N.Y. and NORWELL, Mass., Oct. 8, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AngioDynamics (Nasdaq:ANGO), a leading provider of innovative minimally invasive medical devices for vascular access, surgery, peripheral vascular disease and oncology, announced today it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all the outstanding capital stock of Vortex Medical Inc., a privately-held company focused on the development of innovative medical devices for the removal of thrombus, or blood clots, from occluded blood vessels.

Based in Norwell, Massachusetts, Vortex is currently commercializing the AngioVac system, which includes the AngioVac Cannula and Circuit. These two disposable devices, when combined with other manufacturers' filters, pumps and return cannula, comprise an extracorporeal bypass circuit that facilitates drainage, filtration and reinfusion of blood for up to six hours. The AngioVac Cannula has a proprietary balloon-actuated, expandable, funnel-shaped distal tip that enhances flow, prevents clogging of the cannula and facilitates en bloc removal of undesirable intravascular material. Both the AngioVac Cannula and Circuit are FDA-cleared, and an application has been filed for CE Mark approval.

Under the terms of the definitive agreement, AngioDynamics will acquire all the outstanding capital stock of Vortex Medical for $15 million in cash at closing, subject to adjustment, plus future earn out payments based on net sales of the AngioVac system over a 10 year period and payable in cash. AngioDynamics will make a guaranteed minimum earn out payment of approximately $8 million per year for each of the first five years. After the fifth year, AngioDynamics may make annual earn out payments depending on the level of net sales of the AngioVac system.     

"The agreement to acquire Vortex further demonstrates our strategy to focus our investments on innovative, differentiated products that offer the potential for sustainable, profitable growth," said Joseph M. DeVivo, President and CEO of AngioDynamics. "The AngioVac system has the potential to become a gold standard of care. Unlike currently available pharmacomechanical alternatives, the minimally invasive, en bloc removal of intravascular material has the potential to reduce the risk of complications associated with major open surgery, internal bleeding and clot fragmentation. We believe the AngioVac system presents opportunities for wide anatomical application, and has the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes and to reduce the overall cost of providing treatment. Within five years, we believe AngioVac has the potential to achieve more than $50 million of annual net revenue."   

The acquisition of the AngioVac system will strengthen AngioDynamics' peripheral vascular product portfolio, including its NAMIC line of fluid management products, VenaCure EVLT System and a market-leading lineup of thrombolytic catheters for Catheter Directed Thrombolysis (CDT) featuring Uni-Fuse, SpeedLyser and Pulse*Spray catheters. Nearly one million venous thromboembolic events occur in the U.S. every year, leading to approximately 300,000 deaths. Pharmacomechanical therapies and CDT offer many benefits over anticoagulant therapy, the current standard of care; however, these treatments can cause major bleeding complications and a significant number of patients have contraindications. The en bloc removal of undesirable intravascular material may provide an effective alternative to pharmacomechanical therapies minimizing the potential risks and comorbidities associated with these treatments.

"The first time I used AngioVac, I turned to my colleagues and proclaimed: 'This is a game-changer!'," said Dr. Ken Rosenfield, Section Head for Vascular Medicine and Intervention at Massachusetts General Hospital and member of Vortex's Scientific Advisory Board. "Since then, I have successfully used the AngioVac system in some of the most challenging cases. AngioVac is truly one of the most promising and innovative products for managing venous disease on the market today."

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