Carlyle Signs Memorandum of Understanding to Acquire Assets of Japan's Colin Corp.

Tokyo, Japan – Global private equity firm The Carlyle Group today announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding to purchase Colin Corp., a leading medical device manufacturer based in Komaki, Japan.

Colin was established in 1975 initially as a blood pressure monitor manufacturer and has since broadened its product line into two primary lines of business. Colin’s Moneo business is a leader in the non-invasive blood pressure and patient monitor market. Whereas, Colin’s AT business developed the epoch-making “VP1000/2000 device” (vascular profiling system), which screens for peripheral arterial disease utilizing a simpler process than that used by existing devices. The growth of the arteriosclerosis screening market has been rapid in recent years due to the increase in arteriosclerosis in Japan as well as the growing importance of preventive medicine. Carlyle highly regards the significance of Colin’s blood pressure products within Japan’s medical community as well as the future growth potential of Colin’s AT products and submitted a rehabilitation proposal, which was accepted by Colin. Carlyle was selected as sponsor after an auction process was conducted following Colin’s recent filing of Civil Rehabilitation Law, Minji Saisei Hou or Chapter 11 equivalent in Japan.

“This is a unique opportunity to purchase an attractive, stable business with leading market share. Carlyle's global healthcare platform and financial resources will enable us to establish an early foothold in Japan's promising healthcare buyout sector,” said Tamotsu Adachi, Carlyle Managing Director.

The Carlyle Group is a global private equity firm with more than $16 billion under management. Since its founding in 1987, the firm has invested $9.2 billion of equity in 295+ transactions. The Carlyle Group employs approximately 300 investment professionals in 12 countries. The firm focuses on pro-management buyouts of large corporations and mid-sized companies where it can facilitate the mid-to-long term improvement in corporate value. Carlyle has made numerous investments globally within the healthcare sector. In the Japan market, Carlyle invested in eAccess, Asahi Security, and Kito Corp.

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