Medtronic is the global leader in medical technology — alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world. We are committed to offering market-leading therapies to restore patients to fuller, healthier lives. With beginnings in the treatment of heart disease, we have expanded well beyond our historical core business and today provide a wide range of products and therapies that help solve many challenging, life-limiting medical conditions. We hold market-leading positions in almost all of the major markets in which we operate.
Medtronic was founded in 1949, incorporated as a Minnesota corporation in 1957, and today serves physicians, clinicians and patients in more than 120 countries worldwide. Beginning with the development of the heart pacemaker in the 1950s, we have assembled a broad and diverse portfolio of progressive technology expertise both through internal development of core technologies as well as acquisitions. We remain committed to a mission written by our founder more than 40 years ago that directs us “to contribute to human welfare by application of biomedical engineering in the research, design, manufacture and sale of products that alleviate pain, restore health and extend life.”
With approximately 41,000 dedicated employees worldwide (including full-time equivalent employees) personally invested in supporting our mission, our success in leading global advances in medical technology is the result of several key strengths:
• Broad and deep technological knowledge of microelectronics, implantable devices and techniques, power sources, coatings, materials, programmable devices and related areas, as well as a tradition of technological pioneering and breakthrough products that not only yield better medical outcomes, but more cost-effective therapies.
• Strong intellectual property portfolio that underlies our key products.
• High product quality standards, backed with stringent systems to help ensure consistent performance that meet or surpass customers’ expectations.
• Strong and appropriate professional collaboration with customers, extensive medical educational programs, and thorough clinical research.
• Full commitment to superior patient and customer service.
• Extensive experience with the regulatory process and sound working relationships with regulators and reimbursement agencies, including leadership roles in helping shape regulatory policy in the major markets in which we operate.
• A proven financial record of sustained revenue and earnings growth and continual introduction of new products.
We currently function in seven operating segments that manufacture and sell device-based medical therapies. Our operating segments are:
Cardiac Rhythm Disease Management
Spinal
CardioVascular
Neuromodulation
Diabetes
Surgical Technologies
Physio-Control
Cardiac Rhythm Disease Management (CRDM)
CRDM is the world’s leading supplier of medical devices for cardiac rhythm disease management. We pioneered the modern medical device industry by developing the first wearable external cardiac pacemaker in 1957, and manufactured the first reliable long-term implantable pacing system in 1960. Since then, we have been the world’s leading producer of cardiac rhythm technology, and from these beginnings, a $10 billion industry has emerged. Today, our products and technologies treat and monitor a wide variety of heart rhythm diseases and conditions.
Spinal
Our Spinal business is a leading supplier for innovative medical devices and implants used in the treatment of the spine. Today we offer a wide range of products and therapies to treat a variety of conditions of the spine.
CardioVascular
Our CardioVascular business offers a comprehensive line of minimally invasive products and therapies to treat coronary artery disease, abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms, peripheral vascular disease, and heart valve disorders.
Neuromodulation
Our Neuromodulation business develops, manufactures, and markets devices for the treatment of neurological, urological, and gastroenterological disorders. We pioneered the use of site-specific neurostimulation and targeted drug delivery to modulate nervous system function. Through collaborative efforts with our customers we have developed a unique portfolio of therapeutic technologies for the treatment of debilitating chronic diseases that represent large, unmet medical needs.
Diabetes
Our Diabetes business develops advanced diabetes management solutions. We are the world leader in integrated diabetes management systems, insulin pump therapy, continuous glucose monitoring systems and therapy management software, and are committed to providing improved tools and technologies to help people with diabetes live longer, healthier lives.
Surgical Technologies
Our Surgical Technologies business develops, manufactures, and markets products and therapies to treat diseases and conditions of the ear, nose and throat (ENT), and certain neurological disorders. In addition, the segment manufactures and markets image guided surgery and intra-operative imaging systems that facilitate surgical planning during precision cranial, spinal, sinus and orthopedic surgeries. As a market leader in ENT and neurosurgery, we are changing the way surgery is performed with innovative, minimally invasive products and techniques that benefit both patients and surgeons.
Physio-Control
We develop, manufacture, market and service external defibrillators, including manual defibrillator/monitors used by hospitals and emergency response personnel and automated external defibrillators (AEDs) used in commercial and public settings. In addition to the portfolio of external defibrillation and emergency response systems, we offer related data management solutions and support services.
Acquisitions and Investments
Our strategy to provide a broad range of therapies to restore patients to fuller, healthier lives requires a wide variety of technologies, products, and capabilities. The rapid pace of technological development in the medical industry and the specialized expertise required in different areas of medicine make it difficult for one company alone to develop a broad portfolio of technological solutions. In addition to internally generated growth through our research and development efforts, historically we have relied, and expect to continue to rely, upon acquisitions, investments, and alliances to provide access to new technologies both in areas served by our existing businesses as well as in new areas.
We expect to make future investments or acquisitions where we believe that we can stimulate the development of, or acquire new technologies and products to further our strategic objectives and strengthen our existing businesses. Mergers and acquisitions of medical technology companies are inherently risky and no assurance can be given that any of our previous or future acquisitions will be successful or will not materially adversely affect our consolidated results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.
During April 2009, we acquired privately held CoreValve. Total consideration for the transaction was approximately $700 million including payment of direct acquisition costs. CoreValve develops percutaneous, catheter-based transfemoral aortic valve replacement products.
During February 2009, we acquired privately held Ventor, a development stage company focused on transcatheter heart valve technologies for the treatment of aortic valve disease. This acquisition adds two technologies to our transcatheter valve portfolio: a minimally invasive, surgical transapical technology and a next generation percutaneous, transfemoral technology. Total consideration for the transaction, net of cash acquired, was approximately $308 million.
During February 2009, we acquired privately held Ablation Frontiers. Under the terms of the agreement, the transaction included an initial up-front payment of $225 million plus potential additional payments contingent upon achievement of certain clinical milestones. Total consideration for the transaction was approximately $235 million including the assumption and settlement of existing Ablation Frontiers debt and payment of direct acquisition costs. Ablation Frontiers develops radiofrequency (RF) ablation solutions for treatment of atrial fibrillation. Ablation Frontiers’ system of ablation catheters and RF generator is currently approved in certain markets outside the U.S.
During November 2008, we acquired substantially all of the outstanding stock of CryoCath. Under the terms of the agreement, CryoCath shareholders received $8.75 Canadian dollars per share in cash for each share of CryoCath common stock that they owned. Total consideration for the transaction, net of cash acquired, was approximately $352 million U.S. dollars including the purchase of outstanding CryoCath common stock, the assumption and settlement of existing CryoCath debt and payment of direct acquisition costs. CryoCath develops cryotherapy products to treat cardiac arrhythmias. CryoCath’s Arctic Front product is a minimally invasive cryo-balloon catheter designed specifically to treat atrial fibrillation and is currently approved in certain markets outside the U.S.
During July 2008, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of Restore Medical. Restore Medical shareholders received $1.60 per share in cash for each share of Restore Medical’s common stock they owned. Total consideration for the transaction, net of cash acquired, was approximately $29 million. Restore Medical’s Pillar System will provide us with a minimally invasive, implantable medical device used to treat the soft palate component of sleep breathing disorders, including mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea and snoring.
Employees
On April 24, 2009, we employed approximately 41,000 employees (including full-time equivalent employees). Our employees are vital to our success. We believe we have been successful in attracting and retaining qualified personnel in a highly competitive labor market due to our competitive compensation and benefits, and our rewarding work environment. We believe our employee relations are excellent.