Acquisition of a leader in home infusion therapy in Germany

Created in 2000, Licher takes care of 420 Parkinson’s disease patients on apomorphine pumps and 1,200 immunodeficient patients. It reached a turnover of €3.7 million in 2010. This company is known for its expertise in infusion therapy and its innovative spirit, demonstrated notably by its development of medical equipments (pumps) and specific consumables (catheters and syringes) designed to improve the response to patients’ needs.

To create a global offer in homecare for Parkinson’s disease patients, Air Liquide finalized an agreement for the distribution of apomorphine* in Germany and Austria, marketed under the brand name APO-go, with the manufacturer of this drug, the pharmaceutical company Britannia (STADA Group).

Home infusion therapy is already well developed by Air Liquide in France. With this acquisition, the Group strengthens its position as the leader in homecare in Germany beyond the respiratory line. Home infusion therapy in this country, which includes Parkinson’s disease and immunodeficiency management, is on the rise, as it is the case in the United States and France, which are reference markets in this field.

Pascal Vinet, Vice President, Healthcare World Business Line and member of the Group Executive Committee, declared: “We are delighted with this acquisition which allows us, beyond France, to become a major operator in Germany in the global home healthcare management of Parkinson’s disease and immunodeficient patients treated with infusion therapy. It demonstrates our development strategy in home healthcare and our commitment in the field of infusion therapy. Health is one of the Group’s growth drivers.”

Air Liquide’s Healthcare Business
Air Liquide's Healthcare World Business Line serves over 6,000 hospitals and 600,000 patients throughout the world. It provides gases, hygiene products and medical equipment to its hospital customers and homecare to patients in cities.
With 8,500 employees, the Group’s Healthcare business made €1,937 million in revenues in 2010, 64% outside France.

Home Healthcare in Germany
Through its subsidiary VitalAire, Air Liquide provides prescription care for patients diagnosed with chronic illnesses such as COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and sleep apnea. These homecare treatments are being developed in addition to hospital care, enabling patients to enjoy better quality of life and local authorities to reduce costs.
VitalAire is a leader in respiratory homecare in Germany with over 150,000 patients in 2010.

*Apomorphine: Treatment of motor fluctuations in patients with Parkinson’s disease which are not sufficiently controlled by oral anti-Parkinson medication.

Air Liquide is the world leader in gases for industry, health and the environment, and is present in 80 countries with 43,600 employees. Oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and rare gases have been at the core of Air Liquide’s activities since its creation in 1902. Using these molecules, Air Liquide continuously reinvents its business, anticipating the needs of current and future markets. The Group innovates to enable progress, to achieve dynamic growth and a consistent performance.
Innovative technologies that curb polluting emissions, lower industry’s energy use, recover and reuse natural resources or develop the energies of tomorrow, such as hydrogen, biofuels or photovoltaic energy… Oxygen for hospitals, homecare, fighting nosocomial infections… Air Liquide combines many products and technologies to develop valuable applications and services not only for its customers but also for society.
A partner for the long term, Air Liquide relies on employee commitment, customer trust and shareholder support to pursue its vision of sustainable, competitive growth. The diversity of Air Liquide’s teams, businesses, markets and geographic presence provides a solid and sustainable base for its development and strengthens its ability to push back its own limits, conquer new territories and build its future.
Air Liquide explores the best that air can offer to preserve life, staying true to its sustainable development approach. In 2010, the Group’s revenues amounted to €13.5 billion, of which more than 80% were generated outside France. Air Liquide is listed on the Paris Euronext stock exchange (compartment A) and is a member of the CAC 40 and Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50 indexes.