Advent Invests In American Heart of Poland

Advent International has agreed to invest in American Heart of Poland, which operates cardiovascular treatment units in that country. Financial terms weren’t announced.

PRESS RELEASE

Advent International, the global private equity firm, has today announced the signing of an agreement to invest in American Heart of Poland S.A. (AHP), a leading operator of cardiovascular treatment units in Poland. The value of the investment is undisclosed.

Over the past 11 years, American Heart of Poland has invested over 300 million PLN in the development of its infrastructure and the purchase of the most up-to-date medical technology. At present, the group has 19 fully equipped facilities, including a department of cardiothoracic surgery with a hybrid operating theatre that fulfils the highest international standards.

AHP’s Clinics are pioneers in Poland of numerous solutions that enable more efficient treatment of patients. Many of these, such as a system for rapid diagnosis and treating myocardial infarctions with the use of ECG teletransmission, implemented by American Heart of Poland,  have only recently become standard in the Polish market. AHP has also led the way in developing and implementing fundamental training for emergency medical services and general practitioners and its range of life saving cardiovascular services have reduced costs for the National Health Fund in Poland (NFZ) and significantly reduced waiting times for patients trying to access key treatments.

“We are very excited about Advent’s investment in a cutting-edge business such as American Heart of Poland,” said Paweł Buszman, President of the Supervisory Board of AHP. “Advent’s commitment and expertise in the healthcare sector will undoubtedly allow the group to develop and increase its capabilities. In particular, we are keen to build our strength in those areas of service which previously have been underinvested, such as cardiac and vascular surgery or cardiac rehabilitation, and with Advent’s support we will be best placed to do this.”

“We look forward to working with the management team and the founders of American Heart of Poland” said Monika Morali-Efinowicz, Managing Director at Advent International. “The company operates in an exciting and much sought after market and we feel there are many exciting opportunities ahead. With the support of Advent’s investment and the breadth of our global operational expertise in this sector, we are confident that together we can continue and expand upon the significant success and achievements of American Heart of Poland to date.”

Advent International has been investing in the healthcare sector for over 26 years and has invested in more than 30 healthcare companies worldwide across a broad range of sub-sectors, including pharmaceuticals, healthcare services and medical devices. Most recently in 2010, Advent acquired Regina Maria (formerly Centrul Medical Unirea “CMU”), Romania’s leading provider of premium medical subscriptions and in January 2011 announced the acquisition of The Priory Group, the UK’s leading independent provider of mental health and specialist care services for $1.4bn.  In March 2011 it also announced the acquisition a controlling stake in ISIDA, one of Ukraine’s cutting edge medical treatment and healthcare providers. Other investments in healthcare services include Median, the leading rehabilitation care provider in Germany, and Casa Reha, a leading nursing home group also in Germany.

About American Heart of Poland

Last year, about 16,000 patients were treated in AHP centres, including over 5.000 patients with myocardial infarctions. Highly-qualified medical staff employed at AHP Clinics offer comprehensive services in diagnostics and treatment of cardiovascular diseases at the highest international standard. Patients treated in American Heart of Poland centres can count on complete rehabilitation and pro-health education through Ustroń Resort, purchased by the Group last year.

AHP Clinics were pioneers in:
• the comprehensive treatment of patients with diffuse coronary and peripheral atherosclerosis (including carotid artery atherosclerosis);
• performing complicated coronary artery surgeries in patients disqualified from cardiosurgical treatment;
• the introduction of peripheral atherectomy devices to prevent the consequences of lower limb ischemia.

The results of studies carried out by doctor-scientists from American Heart of Poland are presented at prestigious conferences all over the world and published in leading scientific journals in the USA and Europe.