Air Liquide announces the acquisition of a major player in home infusion in Germany

Air Liquide is pursuing the development of its Home Healthcare activity in Europe with the acquisition of Optimal Medical Therapies (OMT)*, a major player in providing home healthcare services for patients in Germany suffering from chronic illnesses requiring infusion therapy.

Founded in 1998, OMT, which has 45 employees, provides home healthcare services for around 5,000 patients and generated annual sales revenue of 28 million euros in 2013. The company is recognized for its expertise in home infusion services that include immunotherapy, pain management, and the treatment of pulmonary hypertension and Parkinson’s disease. Its integrated offer combines prescribed medication, high technology medical device, and patient services that enable the latter to be treated at home rather than at the hospital, which in turn promotes greater autonomy.

Via this acquisition, which takes the form of a majority stake (65%), Air Liquide reinforces its position in the German home healthcare market. In 2011, the Group acquired Licher Medical Therapy (LMT), one of Germany’s leading players in the area of medico-technical management at home with infusion therapies for patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease or immune deficiency. Air Liquide is already a major player in the French and Northern European infusion therapy markets.

Air Liquide will rely on the commitment of the two founding shareholders and on the expertise of the teams in place to pursue the development of OMT’s business.

Pascal Vinet, Vice-President, Healthcare Global Operations and a member of the Air Liquide Group’s Executive Committee, commented: “This acquisition strengthens our home healthcare offering and enables us to consolidate our position in the German infusion therapy market, as well as at the European level. Above all, it illustrates Air Liquide’s commitment to offering patients who suffer from chronic illnesses a service that combines innovative technologies and high added value care.”

* Optimal Medical Therapies GmbH & Co KG