Loading ...
Jack Berlin
Business & Economics
35
0
Try Now
Log In
Pricing
<p> The Walden Group, Inc. 560 White Plains Rd. Tarrytown, NY 10591 914.332.9700 office@waldenmed.com www.waldenmed.com Diagnostic Imaging Market Developments Fall 2015 Diagnostic Imaging Market Picking Up. The global diagnostic imaging devices market was valued at USD 26,477.1 million in 2014 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2014 to 2020, to reach an estimated value of USD 35,793.4 million in 2020.(Source: Persistence Market Research). The global diagnostic imaging market is growing at a moderate rate due to increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and injuries, and the growing aging population. More accurate Improved diagnostics – facilitating earlier discovery of disease and wellness – technology advances are also fueling growth, despite cost containment measures promoted by government and private payors 3D Imaging Market a Key Accelerator. The North American 3D imaging market is expected to grow from $4.9b to $16.6b at a CAGR of 27.5% due its more comprehensive visibility and incisive diagnostics. New partnerships spurring the 3D imaging market include Konica Minolta with STEAMTrax, and Panasonic with Leica Camera AG. Various 3D imaging providers such as Konica Minolta, Google, Inc., Lockheed Martin, Able Software, Panasonic, Agilent Technologies, GE Healthcare, Philips Healthcare, and TomTec Imaging solutions are offering advanced 3D imaging solutions, technologies, and devices pertaining to the needs of both diverse verticals. Diagnostic Imaging Proven to Save Costs. Researchers at Harvard Medical School have determined that the length of a patient’s hospital stay is reduced by one day for every $385 spent on medical imaging equipment. Such investments could lead to savings of about $3,000 per patient. Hospitals are using IT systems not only to archive patient files but also to optimize processes, supply systems, and communications. Molecular Imaging: The Key to Earlier Detection of Diseases. Diagnostic imaging is often not used until the consequences of an illness have to be addressed. Molecular imaging is developing methods that will make it possible to detect illnesses at an earlier stage and employ more specific diagnostic techniques. For example, today’s systems can already detect certain tumors and deposits in blood vessels at a very early stage. New Imaging Techniques Replacing Exploratory Surgery. PET/CT integrated units can image biological functions, like blood flow, glucose metabolism and metabolic changes associated with cancer much earlier than you could see tumors or other physical changes in the organ. By fusing PET and CT one can see both the metabolic information of PET and the anatomic detail of CT at once. 2 _______________________________________________________ Diagnostic Imaging Trends New MRA Stroke Diagnostic Technologies Build Upon Traditional Modalities. VasSol, Inc. developed a non-invasive MRI- based stroke diagnostic system that quantifies stroke risk by objectively measuring a patient’s blood flow to, from and in the brain and neck. The system is called a NOVA® scan or QMRA® (Quantitative MRA). NOVA's efficacy was confirmed by VERiTAS, a six-year, blinded, 72-patient prospective study conducted at five major medical institutions and the results were accepted by the Journal of the Americcan Medical Association, Neurology. New Imaging Technologies Determine Chemical Composition. Researchers have demonstrated a new type of imaging system that reveals the chemical composition of living tissue for medical diagnostics and cellular studies. Knowing the chemical content of tissue is needed for early detection of disease, and the system also can be used to study molecular dynamics in living cells as they are occurring. The new technique works by "coding" individual photons from a pulsing laser with a megahertz radio frequency and then collecting those photons with a detector after they have interacted with tissue. New 3D Mammography. Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) has been a frequent topic in trade publications for a few years. Many states have passed dense breast tissue notification laws, which will spur DBT’s growth. In Jan 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) established two new add-on codes that extend additional payment when DBT is performed along with 2D digital mammography. Increasing Importance Data Analytics. Collecting more penetrating data is becoming critical in providing information not only about diagnostics but also about equipment and resource usage and patient compliance, among other matters. For instance, McKesson QICS™ for Throughput Management, automates and tracks various exam workflows. It pinpoints areas where departments may be inefficient or a particular employee is struggling so that interventions, such as extra training, can be taken. Images Need to Support Transitions to More E-visits and Telehealth Use. The accessibility of images is becoming more important as e-visits and telehealth continue to grow. One report estimates there are more than 75 million e-visits in the U.S. and Canada. Healthcare providers who are distant from their patients will need to be able to view images and access patient data remotely. Ideally, relevant clinical data from the patient’s EHR will be integrated with medical images and test results, giving tele- providers the information they need when treating remote patients. 3 Diagnostic Imaging Trends (cont.) _______________________________________________________ Multimedia Enhanced Radiology Rreporting (MERR). A study from Emory University and the Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute found that 80% of respondents said MERRs “improved understanding of radiology findings by correlating images to text reports.” The study also found that the multimedia reports provided easier access to images while monitoring progression of a condition, and saved time understanding findings without supporting images. While improving the radiology report, the multimedia-enhanced version also provides more financial value to radiologists. A recent study showed that 80% of respondents indicated an increased likelihood of preferentially referring patients to facilities that offer MERR, and 79% indicated an increased likelihood of recommending peers use facilities offering MERR. Wider adoption of cloud technologies. Radiology, along with the rest of the healthcare sector, is moving to the cloud, and it is happening fast. According to an article in Applied Radiology, the global cloud computing marketing in healthcare was valued at $1.8 billion in 2011, and is expected to grow at 21% at compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21% to $6.8 billion by 2018. While initial upfront costs can vary between the intensity of building an organization’s own private cloud, or the ease and flexibility of using public cloud architecture, the process efficiency, financial predictability of paying for only what the organization needs, and long-term cost savings are making the cloud a worthwhile investment. Centralization of clinical data. Collaboration is a must for health facilities. Department silos are being broken down, enhancing personnel collaboration and the centralization of clinical data. Vendor neutral archives (VNAs) are evolving beyond being a repository for radiology. The evolution is allowing the capability to store and exchange clinical content in DICOM and/or non-DICOM formats. This goes beyond the traditional capabilities offered by a VNA by embedding intelligent lifecycle management and meta-data management to optimize the efficiency of multiple archives. Mobile Devices and Telemedicine on the Rise. The global telemedicine market in 2016 is predicted to be $27 billion, with virtual health services accounting for nearly 60% of the total. It is expected that by 2018, two-thirds of interactions with healthcare organizations will be conducted via mobile devices. Mobile applications are now compressing radiology images taken in the hospital or a physician’s office to a secure network and allow the transfer to portable wireless devices. 4 _______________________________________________________ Diagnostic Imaging Trends (cont.) Interventional Oncology. A large and growing IR subset is interventional oncology. It directly targets cancer tumors using advanced image-guided technology. With minimized complication, morbidity and cost of procedure, image guided ablation has emerged to be the primate treatment modality for cancer. RadioFrequency (RF) and cryoablation devices are often used to treat kidney, liver and lung cancer while cryoablation devices can be used to treat prostate cancer. PAD Interventions. Another major IR application address peripheral artery disease (PAD). Stenting, angioplasty and mechanical atherectomy are available interventional treatments. it is estimated that more than 12 million American suffer from PAD. Stroke Care Advancements. Interventional radiologists are at the forefront of advancing stroke care. The use of a new cerebral protection device, coined Mo. Ma, during carotid artery stenting effectively captures particles released during the stenting procedure that prevent debris from travelling to the brain where it can cause a stroke. New Interventional Applications. Other treatment options for IR include (a) stenting blocked mesenteric arteries to prevent injury and even death from a condition known as mesenteric ischmia which causes severe pain and leads to excessive weight loss, and (b) freezing damaged nerves, a procedure known as cryonerolysis, to treat more than 15 million Americans that suffer from chromic nerve pain. 5 _______________________________________________________ Trends in Interventional Radiology 6 _______________________________________________________ Diagnostic Imaging -- Industry Stats Source: Global Data Diagnostic Imaging -- Industry Stats 7 Compound Annual Growth Rates CAGR '04-'11 CAGR '11-'18 CAGR '04-'18 MRI Systems -0.4% 7.4% 3.4% Ultrasound Systems 2.5% 5.1% 3.8% Computed Tomography Systems -6.8% 5.0% -1.1% Nuclear Imaging Equipment -3.5% 5.0% 0.7% X-ray Systems 3.5% 3.2% 3.3% Mammography Equipment -7.0% 1.3% -3.0% Angio Suites 2.2% 0.1% 1.2% Contrast Media Injectors 4.0% 3.8% 3.9% C-Arms 3.7% 2.8% 3.3% Bone Densitometers -2.4% 4.6% 1.0% Total -1.3% 4.8% 1.7% Source: Global Data _______________________________________________________ Selected Diagnostic Imaging M&A 8 Date Trans Value ($millions) Acquiror Target Target Sales ($millions) Target EBITDA ($millions) Sales Multiple EBITDA Multiple 04-Nov-15 $3,300.0 Excelsior Union Limited Mindray Medical International Limited $1,300.0 $230.5 2.5x 14.3x 05-Aug-15 $1,000.0 International Business Machines Corporation Merge Healthcare Incorporated $227.6 $39.5 4.4x 25.3x 02-Aug-15 - BC Technical, Inc. Ohio Valley Medical Systems - - - - 16-Jul-15 - Richardson Electronics, Ltd International Medical Equipment and Service, Inc - $122.5 - - 22-Jun-15 $93.0 Medtronic plc CardioInsight Technologies Inc. - - - - 23-Mar-15 - M.H. Carnegie & Co. Simplify Medical, Inc. - - - - 14-Jan-15 $8.9 Amarantus BioScience Holdings, Inc. DioGenix, Inc. - - - - 19-Nov-14 - Intertek Group plc ScanBi Diagnostics - - - - 04-Sep-14 $21.0 Veracyte, Inc. Allegro Diagnostics, Inc. - - - - 29-Jul-14 - Bruker Corporation Vutara, Inc. $2.0 - - - 28-Jul-14 $70.0 Medtronic, Inc. Visualase, Inc. - - - - 30-Jun-14 $375.0 Stryker Corporation Small Bone Innovations, Inc. (Sbi) $48.0 - 7.8x - 07-May-14 - Orthotic Holdings Inc. (OHI) Orthera, Inc. - - - - 21-Apr-14 - Decision Diagnostics Corp. Shasta Technologies LLC - - - - 14-Mar-14 $20.0 Sorin Group S.p.A. Oscor Inc. - - - - 18-Feb-14 $93.5 GSI Group Inc. JADAK Technologies Inc. - - - - 14-Jan-14 - CytoCore, Inc. MEDITE GmbH $9.5 - - - 14-Jan-14 - Grupo Biotoscana SL United Medical Ltda - - - - 31-Dec-13 $120.0 Stryker Corporation Patient Safety Technologies, Inc $20.0 $3.1 6.0x 38.7x 31-Oct-13 $114.9 AMETEK Inc. Creaform Inc. $49.7 - 2.3x - 13-Sep-13 - Bruker Corporation Prairie Technologies, Inc. $11.0 - - - 26-Apr-13 $26.0 Emergent BioSolutions Inc. Bracco Diagnostics Inc. - - - - 25-Mar-13 - Psilos Group Managers, LLC Gamma Medica, Inc. - - - - 07-Mar-13 $34.4 Fonar Corporation Health Diagnostics Management, LLC (HDM) - - - - 28-Jan-13 - Samsung Electronics America, Inc. NeuroLogica - - - - _______________________________________________________ Common IR Procedures Angiography Arteriovenous Malformations Balloon Angioplasty Biliary Drainage and Stenting Central Venous Access Chemoembolization Embolization Gastrostomy Tube Hemodialysis Access Infection and Abscess Drainage Needle Biopsy 9 Radiofrequency Ablation Stent Stent Graft Thrombolysis Urinary Tract Obstruction Uterine Artery Embolization Uterine Fibroid Embolization Varicocele Embolization Vena Cava Filter Vertebroplasty _______________________________________________________ Accuray Agilent Aktina Medical Analogic Corporation Annidis Corp. Bayer Bracco Group Carestream Health Cerner Corporation Cook Esaote Fuju Medical Systems GE Healthcare Hitachi Medical Systems 10 Selected Industry Players _______________________________________________________ IBM Hologic, Inc Konica Medical McKesson Medtronic Medrad Mitsubishi Imaging Philips Healthcare Siemens Healthcare Sonosite Toshiba Medical Systems Varian Medical Systems Ziehm Zonare The Walden Group … A World Class Leader in Healthcare M&A Sophisticated Healthcare Expertise and Experience. For more than 15 years, The Walden Group has served the healthcare industry as a specialized investment banking and consulting firm focused on the strategic interests of medical device, diagnostic, healthcare IT, medical services, distribution, specialized pharmaceutical, dental and other healthcare companies. We have completed over 120 transactions. Wall Street M&A Combined with Hands-on Strategic Consulting Expertise. We offer sophisticated M&A and other investment banking services like a full-service firm, but without an assembly-line or mechanical process. We also provide pragmatic strategic consulting services by principals who have healthcare executive experience at major device manufacturers. The consulting expertise adds depth and industry insight to our M&A work, and our M&A work imbues our consulting with a practical context providing immediate value. Textured Perspective, in addition to the Big Picture. With vast healthcare experience in the “trenches”, we are familiar with not only major industry trends, but also specific dynamics that affect many clinical areas. We can provide an informed outside perspective to our clients. Rapid Deployment Force with a Worldwide Network of Relationships. As healthcare industry experts, we hit the ground running and build upon ongoing relationships with device and service companies, large and small. Senior Healthcare Executives with Deep Transactional and Operational Experience. We not only have transactional and consulting expertise, but we also have senior level operational experience. This savvy, combined with a exhaustive work ethic and an impeccable record of integrity, streamlines projects and establishes instant credibility in the market. 11 _______________________________________________________ Strategic Healthcare Integrated Services Strategic Healthcare Investment Banking Specialized Mergers & Acquisitions Strategic Consulting Direct Market Assessments Value-added Private Equity 12 In-depth telephone and in-person interviews provide direct, first hand insight and market intelligence from physicians, surgeons, and other healthcare practitioners. With more than 120 completed transactions and interactions with thousands of prospects, the firm has established a trusted network of key relationships, strategic healthcare information and deal flow. Almost 6,500 executives subscribe to our Strategic Healthcare M&A Report. Proven senior executives provide expert, evidenced- based strategic and operational services to large companies and early stage ones, drawing a wide network of relationships and decades of experience. Funding plus value added services to reach critical milestones. _______________________________________________________ 13 Investment Banking / M&A Overview Buyside -- Targeted Acquisition Planning and Execution Divestitures of subsidiaries, divisions, business units and product lines Sales of independently-owned companies Long track record ... over 120 transactions during the past 15 years Seasoned principals with hands-on, operating experience Sophisticated senior level attention applied to every transaction Trusted experts in healthcare mergers and acquisitions Extensive relationships with Presidents, Financial and Business Development Officers at leading healthcare industry companies Voluminous database geared to product lines and business units, worldwide Far-reaching and incisive research capabilities Co-Chair, 2009 Annual Healthcare M&A and Corporate Development Conference (see image) M&A, Securities and Corporate Law Background _______________________________________________________ Strategic Consulting Overview Conducted by senior executives. Sharpen a company's or business unit's growth plan. Prepare a company for a future M&A, IPO or other strategic event. Assist clients in penetrating U.S. markets – organically or by acquisition. Review product offerings to identifying possible gaps or unnecessary SKU's to optimize a company’s competitiveness; evaluate synergies of product mix. Perform direct market analysis (with primary and secondary sources) to analyze the size and dynamics of a given clinical sector. Conduct “street-smart” competitive analyses, both on a company and product line basis, via a network of relationships and other means. Enhance sales and marketing strategies to maximize the impact of limited resources and available sales networks. Create realistic budgets and projections. Provide an expert “independent eye” for marketing plans. Provide due diligence support on a pragmatic, informed basis. Identify strategic relationship opportunities. 14 _______________________________________________________ 15 Strategic Healthcare M&A Report Quarterly publication of The Strategic Healthcare M&A Report, offering to-the-point analyses for virtually every deal in the healthcare sector, as well as incisive overviews of industry dynamics and factors shaping deal activity. More than 6,500 healthcare executives and other professionals subscribe. _______________________________________________________ T h e W a l d e n G r o u p 2012 Strategic Healthcare M&A Report – The Annual Issue At a glance … The State of the MedTech Sector Valuation and Performance Metrics of Leading Healthcare Companies Notable Deals in Q4 2012 -- Summaries Top Deals of 2012 > $100m in Transaction Value Analysis of more than 85 M&A Transactions announced or closed in Q4 2012 The Walden Group®, Inc. Strategic Healthcare Investment Banking and Consulting Main Office 560 White Plains Road Tarrytown, New York 10591 www.waldenmed.com office@waldenmed.com 914.332.9700 (office) 914.332.0020 (fax) The Strategic Healthcare M&A Report analyzes important merger, acquisition and strategic transactions taking place in the healthcare industry. A complimentary copy of the Report can be obtained by subscribing at www.waldenmed.com. Please feel free to e-mail suggestions for future content to the address listed above. With 20 years of experience and a lengthy track record, The Walden Group is a strategic healthcare investment banking and consulting firm, specializing in fitted mergers and acquisitions for medical device, diagnostics, healthcare IT, healthcare services and niche pharmaceutical firms. © 2013 The Walden Group®, Inc. No part of this report may be reproduced without written permission of The Walden Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Widely Regarded Healthcare Industry Experts 16 _______________________________________________________ Research Capabilities Through years of handling middle market transactions, WG has assembled what may be the most complete actionable database of healthcare companies in the world. It is built on a company-by-company, person-by-person process of recording interaction on transactions, communications on hundreds of clinical trade shows we attend, interactions regarding our Quarterly Strategic Healthcare M&A Report and active business development activities. We are very adept at identifying and ferreting out hard-to-find companies and managing transactions that involve large prospect populations. Our research capabilities are world-wide. We have special expertise in assisting foreign companies seeking acquisitions in the U.S. Hundreds of companies contact us for M&A and market perspectives. 17 _______________________________________________________ 18 Representative M&A Deals V. Mueller ENDOlap™ ______________________________________________________ Selected Transactions The sale of Endo Optiks, LLC, a developer of minimally invasive ophthalmic endoscopic systems, to Beaver Visitec International, Inc., a global leader of world renowned brands for ophthalmic and specialty microsurgical procedures and a unit of Roundtable Healthcare Partners. The acquisition of MicroSurgical Technology, Inc., a manufacturer of specialized ophthalmic surgical devices, by Halma p.l.c, a provider of health optic products, sensor technologies, instruments for eye surgery and diagnostic monitoring devices. The sale of Katena Products, Inc., a leading manufacturer of ophthalmic surgical instruments,to The Cortec Group a private equity firm. The acquisition of Arxa5 Corporation d/b/a IOP Ophthalmics, a provider of amniotic membranes and other technologies for ophthalmic surgery, by Katena Products, Inc., a leading manufacturer of ophthalmic surgical instruments. After a market review, The Walden Group initiated this transaction on behalf of Katena and The Cortec Group, its financial sponsor. The sale of Life Systems, Inc., a leading endoscopic repair and maintenance company, by STERIS Corporation, provider of infection prevention, contamination control, and surgical support products and services. After identifying LSI has a strategic fit on Steris’ behalf, at the request of LSI and consent of Steris, The Walden Group represented LSI and arranged for the transaction. The acquisition of Brennen Medical, a maker of advanced wound and burn products based on porcine xeongraft and oat beta glucan technologies, to Molnlycke Health Care, a Sweden-based maker of advanced woundcare and surgical products. Representing Molnycke, The Walden Group performed a strategic acquisition search, identified Brennen as a key synergistic fit and arranged for the transaction. 19 _______________________________________________________ 20 Selected Transactions (continued) The sale of Total Repair Express, national provider of surgical instrument repair services and instrument tracking information systems, to Steris Corporation, provider of infection prevention, contamination control, and surgical support products and services. The sale of Bell-Horn Orthopedic Products, a supplier of orthopedic softgoods primarily to independent pharmacies, to DJO Incorporated, a leading producer of orthopedic devices and products for rehabilitation, pain management and physical therapy. The $75 million purchase by Moog Inc. (NYSE), a manufacturer of precision control components serving military, commercial aircraft, aerospace, industrial and medical equipment sectors, of Curlin Medical LLC, a maker of "smart" ambulatory infusion pumps for pain management and other applications. The Walden Group was retained by Moog, conducted an acquisition search, identified Curlin as a strategic fit, and originated the transaction. The sale of Jarit Surgical Instruments, a major manufacturer of general surgical instruments sold into hospitals and clinics primarily through large group purchasing organizations, to Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation, a public company focused on neurosurgery, tissue regeneration products, and surgical instrument lines. The sale of Taut, Inc., a leading manufacturer of bladeless laparoscopic access ports and other minimally invasive products, to Teleflex Incorporated (NYSE:TFX), a large diversified manufacturer with significant medical operations. The divestiture of the MAYFIELD® Cranial Stabilization and Positioning Systems and the BUDDE® Halo Retractor System by Schaerer Mayfield USA, Inc. (formerly Ohio Medical Instrument Company) to Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq: IART). The sale of Seattle Systems, Inc., a leading manufacturer of orthotics, prosthetics, orthopedic and pain management products, to an affiliate of The Trulife Group Limited (Ireland), a manufacturer of orthopedic, breast care, pressure care, prosthetic and consumer products. _______________________________________________________ Among our Testimonials… Barnes & Thornburg LLP (Law Firm) "I was telling Todd yesterday that you were one of the most professional, sharp and enjoyable Investment Bankers with whom I've had the pleasure of working in my 30 years of doing this, and I've worked with tons of IBs over the years. You are a real pro with whom I look forward to the opportunity to work again!“ David Millard, Partner Endo Optiks “Thank you so much for your expert guidance and involvement in all facets of the recent sale of our ophthalmic, micro-endoscopy business. We felt you melded so seamlessly with us that you were part of our company. Your rare skill set, combining extensive corporate law knowledge with decades of investment banking experience, was invaluable. It took several years for ophthalmic surgeons to become comfortable utilizing our proprietary, triple-function endoscopy rather than an operating microscope for diagnostics and treatment. The endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP) procedure we pioneered was initially confused with more invasive procedures. We were so impressed with your understanding of these dynamics in presenting our company to prospective acquirers based on the science and safety/efficacy data, which demonstrated superior patient outcomes compared to other surgical techniques. We especially want to thank you for your detailed negotiating skills, resulting in a doubling of the purchase price from the initial proposal and providing several options for increased consideration from future performance. Your "all in" approach, diligence, professionalism, and persistence were evident in every phase of the negotiating and sale process.” Steve Kohn, CEO and Co- Founder, Endo Optiks, Inc. Halma p.l.c. (HLMA.L:LSE) "Thanks so much for your expert advisory work in regard to the MST transaction. Being an acquisitive company, Halma has a certain style and process of reviewing, valuing, negotiating, performing due diligence and closing a deal. I was very pleased with how you provided important contributions in all phases, most notably helping both us and the sellers come together on difficult issues. I considered you at all times an integral part of our team, promoting our best interests. This was especially on display as you helped tailor our approach to the unique needs of this transaction. I look forward to working with you and your team on the next acquisition.“ Adam Meyers, Chief Executive Officer, Health Optics Division 21 _______________________________________________________ Among our Testimonials… Current Solutions LLC "Three years ago, I was on the opposite side of the table from Walden in negotiating the purchase of a Walden listed business. I was so impressed with the honesty, integrity and effectiveness in which you represented your client and treated us as the acquiring company, it made perfect since to ask you to represent our company for a potential sale. I was also very impressed with Walden's deep healthcare clinical knowledge and extensive industry network. You took pains to prepare us individually and as an organization so that the transaction material and all dealings were as professional as the manner in which we run our business. All dealings reflected quality and translated into an excellent valuation.” Glynn Bloomquist, President Bell-Horn Orthopedics “Thank you so much for your invaluable assistance in divesting Bell-Horn to DJO Global. As you advised, it was so important to spend the time in advance to organize the company, our financial reporting, our organization and our operations, so that the presentation of our company was Blue-chip, professional and effective. The Walden Group helped create credibility every inch of the way. All this effort and your firm's interactions with other parties leveled the playing field and created the conditions for win-win negotiations on very attractive valuation and deal terms. There were so many details and subtleties that you kept us on top of. And, when our lawyers became involved, we appreciated your teamwork approach and pivotal contributions in negotiating the definitive agreements." Todd Katz, President Sanbor Corporation (China) "Now that the dust has settled, I just wanted to thank you for your fortitude and resilience in getting our deal done … at last. I now know how hard it is to complete a corporate sale, especially one in China. When the world was falling apart in 2008, a former suitor could not complete our deal and we were all burned out, you picked up the pieces and helped us start afresh with new energy. The Walden Group pinpointed new acquirers needing a high-end China-based engineering and technical production company and then navigated the maze one more time to a happy conclusion. There were so many "deal wires to connect" and you helped put everything together. Even at the end when special pass-through tax allocation expertise was required by both sides, you brought in just the right talent to solve the problem.“ Wayne Meng, President 22 _______________________________________________________ Principals James A. Walden - Prominent healthcare investment banking professional for more than 25 years. Previously, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Phillips Appel & Walden Inc., a major Wall Street firm. Richard S. Cohen - Arranged more than 75 merger and acquisition transactions. Co-Chair of the 7th Annual Healthcare M & A Conference. Formerly, a corporate and securities lawyer at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz; a senior officer of The Trump Group (a prominent Leveraged Buyout Firm); a director of public companies; and President of a privately owned manufacturer. Merle Symes - Former President and CEO of the U.S. division of Ulrich Medical, a German maker of spine, radiology and other surgical products where he grew the company 60% in three years. Prior to that he served in senior positions at Bausch & Lomb and Monsanto. Mr. Symes is an expert in technology management, new product development, market positioning, merger integration and turnarounds Wharton MBA and B.S. in Chemical Engineering. Steven Steiber, Ph.D. - Healthcare market research executive formerly with major companies including GfK Healthcare, Opinion Research International and the Gallup Organization. Mr. Steiber has more than 25 years experience designing market intelligence programs for leading pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, analyzing the data derived, formulating strategic plans and helping to execute those plans. 23 _______________________________________________________ </p>