Bracco sells Esaote subsidiary to investment group

Esaote, known worldwide for its MR and ultrasound equipment, has split from its Italian parent, the Bracco Group. The company was sold Jan. 20 for an undisclosed amount to a group of investors led by Esaote chairman and CEO Carlo Castellano.

Eighty shareholders in the newly independent Esaote are company staff, described by Castellano as "white collars, managers, and top executives." Castellano gives the company high marks in teamwork and commitment to innovation.

"The key success factors of the Esaote group are the quality of the medical equipment and the know-how in the software applied to diagnostics," he said.

Esaote provides specialty MR scanners dedicated to extremity imaging, as well as diagnostic ultrasound equipment and electrocardiography systems.

The divestment of Esaote reflects efforts by Bracco to focus on core capabilities and selected emerging technologies. The company is concentrating particularly on devices oriented toward the administration of diagnostic contrast agents and high-tech adjuncts to therapy.

Editor's note: DI SCAN will profile Esaote, strategic developments at Bracco, and the deal that split these two companies apart in its next issue, Feb. 6.