Zoll Medical, which manufactures medical devices and related software solutions, has signed a definitive agreement to purchase Cardiac Science, a provider of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), related services, and accessories.
In a press release from Zoll announcing the deal, Elijah A White, president of Zoll Resuscitation, said: “We are excited about the alignment of our two companies and our combined ability to put life-saving technology in the hands of more lay rescuers and first responders answering medical emergencies. Zoll and Cardiac Science have been delivering AED solutions for the better part of two decades. As we look to the future together, our combined organisation will provide more choices to current and future customers.”
Dev Kurdikar, president and CEO of Cardiac Science, commented: “Joining Zoll is the right opportunity for our business, our people, and our customers. Cardiac Science has an exciting pipeline of innovative products that are anticipated to be launched beginning this year. These new technologies, which advance ease of use or performance, can be deployed in Zoll AEDs and thus benefit more sudden cardiac arrest victims across the world.”
Sudden cardiac arrest claims more than 350,000 lives each year in the USA, and is the leading cause of unexpected death in the globally. If a victim does not receive CPR and early defibrillation from an AED, chances of survival decrease 10% with each passing minute.
According to the press release, Zoll’s technology enables dispatchers to communicate the locations of registered AEDs to callers reporting potential sudden cardiac arrest incidents, and the addition of Cardiac Science to the AED Link programme will allow more AEDs to be put into the hands of laypersons and first responders to support life-saving action.
The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions. Additional terms of the agreement are not being disclosed at this time.
