Kinetic's V.A.C.Via Wins Award

Recently, Kinetic Concepts Inc. (KCI) added another feather to its cap when its V.A.C.Via Therapy System was ranked among the “Top Ten Innovation in Podiatric Technology” by trade publication called Podiatry Today. As per the publication, V.A.C.Via holds the second position among all other innovative devices based on its several user-friendly treatment options. Alongside, Podiatry Today also compared the little battery requirement of V.A.C.Via System with NPWT devices that works under heavy NiCd rechargeable batteries.

Kinetic’s V.A.C. technology incorporates V.A.C. technology delivers negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) through multiple action mechanism. This technology helps promote wound healing and reduce the cost of treating patients with serious wounds. NPWT has been leveraged across different types of wounds (including surgical, trauma, and chronic wounds) as well as multiple care settings (acute care hospitals, extended care facilities, and home health agencies). 

The V.A.C.Via Therapy System is the next-generation portable healing V.A.C. technology. The technology provides wound healing environment for low- to-moderate wounds while offering simplicity, mobility and convenience to both physicians and patients. During the second quarter the company witnessed gradual improvement in this segment attributable to higher unit volumes in the US, resulting from the increased usage of V.A.C. Therapy products. During the quarter, V.A.C. Via registered over $1 million in revenues and the company aims further growth of the product. Additionally, the miniaturized Vortis Pump Technology, which underpins V.A.C.Via, is expected to deliver encouraging results across the US and Europe in the coming quarters. Moreover, the company is gradually gaining a strong foothold in Japan and Europe, which should boost the top line further.

Earlier in July, private equity firm Apax Partners along with two Canadian pension funds decided to acquire Kinetic for approximately $6.3 billion. The deal is expected to close by the end of 2011. Presently, we remain ‘Neutral’ on Kinetic with limited upside potential.

Read the full analyst report on KCI