Merge Healthcare Completes Acquisition of Amicas

An agreement between Merge Healthcare, Inc. (Milwaukee, WI, USA) and Amicas, Inc. (Boston, MA, USA) creates a leading medical imaging software and healthcare information technology (IT) solutions provider with strong customer relationships, innovative solutions, significant cross-selling capabilities, and a solid international presence.

The agreement completed the definitive merger agreement between Merge and Amicas dated February 28, 2010, under which a subsidiary of Merge acquired all of the outstanding shares of Amicas common stock for US$6.05 per share.

With a combined customer base of approximately 1,500 hospital and 2,200 outpatient sites in the United States alone, a complementary product range, and distribution agreements in over 35 countries, Merge is well positioned to capitalize on the expected growth in the global medical imaging and healthcare IT markets. "Merge and Amicas each has a rich history of delivering innovative solutions for the medical imaging and healthcare IT markets,” noted Justin Dearborn, Merge CEO. "Despite some overlap in the outpatient imaging market, our solution sets are highly complementary. As a combined business, we will have excellent coverage for imaging and healthcare IT solutions across the continuum of care--from outpatient imaging sites to radiology, cardiology, and enterprise solutions serving the hospital market.”

For outpatient imaging businesses, the newly combined company will offer proven solutions for revenue cycle management, radiology information systems, referring physician connectivity solutions, radiology picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) and computer-aided detection (CAD) solutions. For hospitals, Merge will offer effective interoperability and healthcare IT solutions, as well comprehensive departmental solutions for cardiology, radiology, and perioperative departments. Moreover, Merge will deliver the entire solution set internationally, through established global channels. In 2009 alone, Merge signed distribution contracts in 24 countries.

"Healthcare providers are facing reimbursement challenges, stimulus funding requirements, interoperability issues, and the need to improve effectiveness and efficiency of their clinicians,” said Mr. Dearborn, "and they want cost effective applications that will solve these challenges. Merge and Amicas each has decades of experience with a core focus on medical imaging and healthcare IT software development, and the resulting long term customer partnerships. Together, we can more efficiently bring the right solutions to meet the demands of the market.”

Merge Healthcare develops and integrates information technology to create a better electronic healthcare experience. Merge products, ranging from standards-based development toolkits to sophisticated clinical applications, have been used by healthcare providers, vendors, and researchers worldwide for over 20 years.

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