MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONSBoston Scientific Corp., Natick, Mass., has completed its $100 million acquisition of Plymouth-based Atritech Inc. in a deal that was announced in January. Atritech's Watchman Left Atrial Appendage Closure Technology gives Boston Scientific a product designed for atrial fibrillation patients with high stroke risk. Atrial fibrillation patients are prone to develop blood clots in the left atrial appendage in the heart that can dislodge and block circulation to the brain, resulting in a stroke. The Watchman closes the left atrial appendage, preventing clots. The device is not yet approved for use in the United States, but the company has completed an 800-patient clinical trial. Atritech now is enrolling patients in a confirmatory study designed to win Food and Drug Administration approval. Additional payments of up to $275 million are contingent on achievement of specified regulatory and revenue-based goals through 2015.
NEW BUSINESSDonaldson Co. Inc., Bloomington, said construction will begin on a second manufacturing facility in Aguascalientes, Mexico. The 140,000-square-foot plant will manufacture air filters for Donaldson's growing markets in the Americas. Theexisting plant in Aguascalientes, which now makes both air and liquid filters, will specialize in liquid filters upon completion of the new plant.
PERSONNELEmerson Consultants Inc., Minnetonka, a contract research organization that provides reimbursement, regulatory and consulting services to the medical device and biologics industries, has appointed Dr. Richard Baer to the position of senior medical director. Baer most recently held the position of lead medical director for National Government Services Inc. the nation's largest Medicare contractor.
Padilla Speer Beardsley, a Minneapolis-based communications firm has Dave Schad executive creative director of its creative services group. Before joining Padilla, Schad owned an independent consultancy, serving a select group of clients and consulting for several major Minneapolis-based ad agencies. Previously, he served as senior art director for Carmichael Lynch and Colle McVoy, and creative director for Bozell Kamstra.
