Acquisition of a major homecare provider in France

Ageing population and the rise of chronic diseases, both major public health challenges, lead to the development of homecare. The market for home respiratory assistance in Europe alone amounts to over €2 billion.

Air Liquide, the European homecare leader, announces the acquisition in France of ADEP Assistance, a specialist in home respiratory healthcare.

Created more than forty years ago within the French Association for polio sufferers and the disabled (ADEP), ADEP Assistance today takes care of nearly 13,000 chronic patients in the regions of Ile de France and Picardie, with a highly-qualified multidisciplinary team of 140 employees. It reached a turnover of €21 million in 2009.

ADEP Assistance is recognised for the quality of its services in home respiratory assistance, in particular invasive and non invasive ventilation, and for its expertise in paediatrics and the treatment at home of patients with severely disabling diseases requiring sophisticated equipment (for example neuromuscular diseases). It is a pioneer in the care of tracheotomised and ventilated patients.

Annie Leroy, General Manager of ADEP Assistance, said: "We are delighted to join a leader with whom we share the same values, and above all, the desire to position the patient and the healthcare professionals at the heart of our preoccupations."

Pascal Vinet, Vice-President, Healthcare World Business Line and Healthcare Operations for the Air Liquide Group, declared: "Our business of home healthcare provider in France is strengthened by this acquisition which complements our service offering. This reinforces our leading position in homecare in Europe. ADEP Assistance will now be able to rely on the resources of the Healthcare operations of the Air Liquide Group to continue its development at the service of patients. We are delighted to welcome these new employees into the Group. Health is one of the Air Liquide growth drivers."