Bracco Imaging Acquires Swiss Contrast Agents Company

Bracco Imaging, SpA (Milan, Italy) has acquired Swiss Medical Care (SMC; Lausanne, Switzerland), a company focused on research, production, and marketing of automated systems for the administration of contrast agents for diagnostic imaging.

“This acquisition marks the continuation of a journey that began with the acquisition of ACIST Medical Systems in 2001 and continued with the incorporation of EZEM, Inc. in 2008. The addition of the innovative products from SMC allows Bracco to further strengthen its portfolio of solutions for radiology and diagnostic imaging,” said Fulvio Renoldi Bracco, head of the global business unit imaging of Bracco.

“We are extremely pleased having concluded this transaction with the Bracco Group, which is by far the most dynamic and successful company in the field of contrast media for diagnostic imaging. It is also a very positive conclusion of the efforts we have put into a very innovative class of contrast media injectors,” said Frédéric Neftel, CEO and president of Debiotech, SA (Lausanne, Switzerland). “It is further a success for Debiotech and the private investors which have participated in that venture and a tremendous opportunity for the company. We are very confident that, thanks to Bracco’s exceptional global presence, CT Exprés will get a very rapid adoption in many different countries, for the benefit of radiology teams and patients.”

“We are very excited by the agreement with Swiss Medical Care because it gives us the opportunity to complete the offer of injectors for CT with the system CT Exprés that offers significant benefits in terms of safety, ease of use, and convenience,” underlined Valtero Canepa, head of the global marketing at business unit imaging of Bracco.

SMC-Swiss Medical Care, SA, was founded in 2003, when Debiotech and a group of private investors created a new company specializing in sales and marketing in the field of diagnostic imaging.

Bracco is an integrated multinational group in the health sector through Bracco Imaging (diagnostic imaging), Pharma (ethical and over-the-counter [OTC] drugs in Italy), ACIST Acist Medical Systems (medical devices and advanced imaging agents injection systems based in Minneapolis, MN, USA), and CDI--Italian Diagnostic Center Milan (Italy). Overall, the group employs more than 2,800 people, with a consolidated turnover of over EUR 1 billion, of which 65% from international sales and it is present worldwide.