LifeCell
Encyclopedia
LifeCell is a biotechnology
company that develops and sells tissue grafts and blood cell
preservation products. In recent years, LifeCell's sales have grown at an average of 41% per year and profits up to 72% annually, due in part to rising sales of their human tissue product AlloDerm. AlloDerm is used during surgeries ranging from complex hernia repairs to breast reconstruction.
(KCI), a company specializing in advanced wound care and therapeutic support systems, announced its intention to acquire LifeCell in a non-hostile transaction for $1.7 billion. LifeCell will become a wholly owned subsidiary of KCI during the second quarter of 2008. Its CEO, Paul Thomas, will become President of the LifeCell division of KCI. LifeCell's headquarters will remain in Branchburg, New Jersey. KCI is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas.
Biotechnology
Biotechnology is a field of applied biology that involves the use of living organisms and bioprocesses in engineering, technology, medicine and other fields requiring bioproducts. Biotechnology also utilizes these products for manufacturing purpose...
company that develops and sells tissue grafts and blood cell
Blood cell
A blood cell, also called a hematocyte, is a cell normally found in blood. In mammals, these fall into three general categories:* red blood cells — Erythrocytes* white blood cells — Leukocytes* platelets — Thrombocytes...
preservation products. In recent years, LifeCell's sales have grown at an average of 41% per year and profits up to 72% annually, due in part to rising sales of their human tissue product AlloDerm. AlloDerm is used during surgeries ranging from complex hernia repairs to breast reconstruction.
Controversy
In 2006, LifeCell became associated with an incident involving the alleged harvesting of tissue from deceased individuals who never consented to become donors. After an investigation by the Brooklyn District Attorney, four individuals were indicted. Although not implicated in the alleged conspiracy, LifeCell was the recipient of cadaver material from the aforementioned tissue bank and has been named in a number of lawsuits. The company has pledged to defend itself against the lawsuits and claims it has not received any reports of disease transmission.Acquisition by KCI
In early April 2008, Kinetic Concepts IncKinetic Concepts Inc
Kinetic Concepts, Inc. , is an U.S.-based multinational corporation that produces medical technology related to wounds and wound healing including therapeutic beds, wound care and tissue regeneration technology. KCI produced the first product developed specifically for negative pressure wound...
(KCI), a company specializing in advanced wound care and therapeutic support systems, announced its intention to acquire LifeCell in a non-hostile transaction for $1.7 billion. LifeCell will become a wholly owned subsidiary of KCI during the second quarter of 2008. Its CEO, Paul Thomas, will become President of the LifeCell division of KCI. LifeCell's headquarters will remain in Branchburg, New Jersey. KCI is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas.