Asahi Medical Co., Ltd. and Terumo Corp. have today concluded an agreement for the transfer of the sales and marketing functions of the hemodialyzer operations of Terumo to Asahi Medical on July 1, 2002.
Under the terms of the agreement, sales and marketing operations for all hemodialyzer products of Terumo will be transferred to Asahi Medical, whereupon Asahi Medical will undertake sales and marketing for these products. Intellectual property rights related to these products, including patent rights and trademarks, will be transferred or licensed to Asahi Medical. Production will for the near term be performed by Terumo, which will supply the products to Asahi Medical. Until permanent employment arrangements are in place, personnel of Terumo engaged in the domestic sales and marketing of hemodialyzers will be assigned to Asahi Medical where they will continue to perform their functions.
The hemodialyzer operations of Asahi Medical are being expanded as a key field of competitive superiority in the Asahi Kasei group. Asahi Medical is Japan’s leading supplier of hemodialyzers, with growth centered on polysulfone-membrane hemodialyzers which feature high performance and outstanding biocompatibility. Complementing Asahi Medical’s product lineup with the hemodialyzer products of Terumo will heighten Asahi Medical’s international competitive strength by enhancing its ability to provide products which closely match a wide range of specific patient needs. The integration of Terumo’s hemodialyzer marketing personnel and know-how into Asahi Medical’s worldwide marketing network will further augment its global competitiveness.
Terumo has engaged in hemodialyzer operations since 1977, and has developed vitamin E-coating technology for hemodialyzer membranes which has been highly appraised by specialist physicians. The agreement reached today was based on the determination that its prospects for substantial independent growth were limited given the increasingly intense competitive environment, and that the transfer of hemodialyzer operations to Japan’s market leader, Asahi Medical, will enable its technology to be utilized by the greatest number of hemodialysis patients.
Hemodialyzer products of Terumo Corp.
| · |
Clirans S (SS series, SU series) |
| · |
Clirans E (E series, EE series) |
| · |
Clirans PS |
| · |
Clirans PSE |
| Annual sales: Approximately ¥6.0 billion |
Corporate profiles
Asahi Medical Co., Ltd. (100% subsidiary of Asahi Kasei Corp.)
| Establishment: |
| |
July 1974 |
| Paid-in capital: |
| |
¥800 million |
| President: |
| |
Akihiro Isobe |
| Sales: |
| |
¥25.2 billion (fiscal year ended March 2001) |
| Major products: |
| |
Hemodialyzers, leukocyte reduction filters for transfusion, plasmapheresis and blood purification devices. |
Terumo Corp. (listed on first section of Tokyo Stock Exchange)
| Establishment: |
| |
September 1921 |
| Paid-in capital: |
| |
¥38.7 billion |
| President: |
| |
Takashi Wachi |
| Sales: |
| |
¥176.0 billion (fiscal year ended March 2001) |
| Major products: |
| |
Medication systems, disposable medical equipment, testing equipment, cardiopulmonary systems, catheter systems, peritoneal dialysis systems. |
|
