DALLAS and WEINHEIM, Germany Oct. 17, 2005 Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE: KMB) announced today that it has acquired Microcuff GmbH (Microcuff), a privately held medical device and technology company in Germany. Microcuff has developed patented catheter technology, integrating micro-thin balloon components. The balloon membranes can be applied to numerous health care products and provide an innovative design platform for further device developments. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
This latest acquisition to Kimberly-Clark's Health Care business will further enhance its position as a leading global provider of innovative and technologically advanced medical devices. It will provide the Health Care business with a proprietary technology base to build on its current airway management business, including offering differentiated medical devices that reduce Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP).
"The acquisition of Microcuff is consistent with our Global Business Plan initiatives to introduce high-margin solutions for the operating room and infection control, much like the patient warming solutions that came out of the technology we acquired from Medivance two years ago," said Joanne Bauer, president of Kimberly-Clark Health Care.
"Ventilator Associated Pneumonia is one of the most acute infections confronting hospitals and health care workers worldwide. The acquisition of Microcuff provides Kimberly-Clark with a unique technology that will be used to develop a variety of high-potential clinical products that can help reduce VAP and other health care related infections."
Cheryl Perkins, K-C senior vice president and chief technical officer, said, "This acquisition is an example of our Innovation team working together with our businesses to identify key insights and acquire appropriate technology that will lead to new and innovative solutions. Microcuff's technology provides K-C with an opportunity to save lives, drive growth and profitability, and be a leader in health and hygiene."
Microcuff was founded in 2001 by Dr. Fred Gobel, Dr. Lothar Gobel and Wolfgang Blecher. The company is based in Weinheim, Germany, near Heidelberg.
For more information, please visit www.kchealthcare.com
About Kimberly-Clark Health Care
Every day, one in four people around the world trust Kimberly-Clark brands to enhance their health, hygiene and well-being. Health care providers depend on Kimberly-Clark's Health Care business for a broad portfolio of products that help protect both patients and those who care for them. This $1 billion global business unit manufactures and markets sterilization wrap and pouches, along with surgical drapes, gowns, personal protective apparel, face masks and gloves, providing head-to-toe protection for health care workers. Beyond protective apparel, Kimberly-Clark Health Care is also a leader in several medical device categories. These include closed suction systems for respiratory care, enteral feeding systems, patient warming systems, and endoscopy and pain management products and accessories. For more information, about the Health Care business, please visit http://www.kchealthcare.com. To learn more about Kimberly-Clark and its 133-year history of innovation, visit www.kimberly-clark.com.
Certain matters contained in this news release concerning the business outlook, including new product introductions, cost savings and acquisitions, anticipated costs and savings related to the Competitive Improvement Initiatives, anticipated financial and operating results, strategies, contingencies and anticipated transactions of the company constitute forward-looking statements and are based upon management's expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting the company. There can be no assurance that these future events will occur as anticipated or that the company's results will be as estimated. For a description of certain factors that could cause the company's future results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements, see the section of Part I, Item 1 of the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 entitled "Factors That May Affect Future Results."