Haemonetics Signs Definitive Agreement To Acquire Hemerus Medical, LLC

BRAINTREE, Mass., April 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Haemonetics Corporation (NYSE: HAE) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the business assets of Hemerus Medical, LLC, a Minnesota-based company that develops innovative technologies for the collection of whole blood, and processing and storage of blood components.  Hemerus has completed Phase 3 clinical trials and has submitted a New Drug Application to the FDA for its unique, patented SOLX® whole blood collection system.

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This system's features include a collection set and a storage solution that is believed to considerably extend the quality and effective life of red blood cells.  Hemerus expects FDA approval in calendar year 2012.  The storage solution is the result of research partially funded by the US Army, and invented by Dr. John Hess of the University of Maryland, and the late Dr. Tibor Greenwalt of the University of Cincinnati.  Hemerus holds the exclusive worldwide license to the intellectual property and furthered this research through the development of a whole blood collection set and clinical trials.

Brian Concannon, President and CEO, said: "Hemerus' capabilities complement our planned entry into the whole blood collection market with our differentiated products designed to bring greater efficiency and productivity to whole blood collection and processing.  This is a market that is strategically important with more than 60 million collection procedures annually.  Delivery of a superior blood storage solution offers both medical and economic benefits to our blood center and hospital customers and is important to our leadership position in blood management."

Haemonetics' current broad product offering includes automated blood collection and separation technologies for the red blood cell collection process.  However, today manual whole blood collections account for over 90% of red cell collection procedures performed annually worldwide.  Hemerus' capabilities are expected to enable Haemonetics to accelerate its entry into the whole blood collection market with differentiated offerings.

Mr. Concannon explained: "We've discussed our plans to deliver our first whole blood automation software package to customers and also to advance our automated whole blood collection device into clinical trials.  The acquisition of the blood collection, filtration and processing product lines of Pall Corporation and the addition of Hemerus' SOLX collection system to this portfolio will considerably enhance our ability to serve the industry with complete and integrated solutions for whole blood collection."

Under terms of the agreement, Haemonetics will pay up to $27 million in several stages, each of which is contingent upon successful regulatory approvals of SOLX.  Additionally, Haemonetics has agreed to pay a royalty on future sales of SOLX based products.  The acquisition is expected to close during the second quarter of fiscal 2013.

As separately announced, Haemonetics will host a webcast at 8:00 am (EDT) on Monday, April 30, 2012 to discuss and answer questions about its earnings for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 and guidance for fiscal year 2013, which were provided in a separate press release today.  The company will also discuss both acquisitions announced today and their impact on operations and results in more detail.  Interested parties can participate at: http://phoenix.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?p=irol-eventDetails&c=72118&eventID=4752543.

Haemonetics (NYSE: HAE) is a global healthcare company dedicated to providing innovative blood management solutions for our customers.  Together, our devices and consumables, information technology platforms, and consulting services deliver a suite of business solutions to help our customers improve clinical outcomes and reduce the cost of healthcare for blood collectors, hospitals, and patients around the world.  Our technologies address important medical markets: blood and plasma component collection, the surgical suite, and hospital transfusion services.  To learn more about Haemonetics, visit our web site at http://www.haemonetics.com.       

This release contains forward-looking statements that are not historical facts. Haemonetics has identified some of these forward-looking statements with words like "will," "expect," "intend," "believe," "may," "could," "would," "might," "possible," "plan," "anticipate," or "continue," the negative of these words, other terms of similar meaning or the use of future dates.  Forward-looking statements in this release include without limitation statements regarding the expected timing of the completion of the transaction and statements regarding the effect of the transaction on Haemonetics' business and competitive position, statements regarding future innovation and statements regarding Haemonetics' future financial performance and financial condition.

Investors and security holders are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.  Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of risks and uncertainties, including: uncertainties as to the timing of the transaction; the possibility that various closing conditions for the transaction may not be satisfied or waived, including that a governmental entity may prohibit, delay or refuse to grant approval for the consummation of the transaction; the effects of disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with employees, customers, vendors and other business partners; the risk that stockholder litigation in connection with the transaction may result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability; other business effects, including the effects of industry, economic or political conditions outside of Haemonetics' control; transaction costs; actual or contingent liabilities; and other risks and uncertainties discussed in Haemonetics' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the "Risk Factors" sections of Haemonetics' most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

The forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by management of the company and are believed to be reasonable, though inherently uncertain and difficult to predict.  Actual results and experience could differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Information set forth in this press release is current as of today and the company undertakes no duty or obligation to update this information.  All forward-looking statements in this announcement are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.           

CONTACT:
Gerry Gould, VP-Investor Relations
Tel. (781) 356-9402
[email protected]
Alt. (781) 356-9613

SOURCE Haemonetics Corporation