USA – GE HealthCare has announced plans to acquire the remaining 50% stake in Nihon Medi-Physics (NMP), a leading Japanese radiopharmaceutical company, from Sumitomo Chemical.
The acquisition, expected to close in early 2025, will grant GE HealthCare full ownership of NMP, strengthening its position in the Japanese and broader Asian healthcare markets. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
GE HealthCare has held a 50% stake in NMP since acquiring Amersham in 2004. With this purchase, GE HealthCare aims to expand patient access to next-generation radiopharmaceuticals that support the detection and diagnosis of various diseases.
The acquisition will also position NMP as a key partner for global innovators aiming to introduce new radiopharmaceuticals to Japan and other Asian markets.
Peter J. Arduini, CEO of GE HealthCare, shared his excitement in a LinkedIn post, highlighting how full ownership of NMP will enhance the company’s ability to deliver both generic and proprietary molecules for diagnosing diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
He emphasized the importance of the acquisition in advancing GE HealthCare’s precision care strategy, underscoring that the company is the only medtech player with both molecular imaging equipment and radiopharmaceuticals.
Based in Tokyo, Nihon Medi-Physics generates approximately US $183 million in annual revenue and operates 13 manufacturing facilities.
NMP’s portfolio includes key radiopharmaceuticals used in clinical imaging for neurology, cardiology, and oncology. Among its offerings are:
Kevin O’Neill, President and CEO of GE HealthCare’s Pharmaceutical Diagnostics (PDx) segment, noted Japan’s significant role in the global molecular imaging market, which is valued at US $7 billion.
Japan is on track to become a leader in this sector, and NMP will play a pivotal role in supporting global innovators looking to bring new products to Japan and beyond.
O’Neill also emphasized how this acquisition will strengthen GE HealthCare’s precision care strategy in Asia and build on its established presence in Japan, where its medical devices and contrast media are used daily for imaging procedures.
The company’s PDx segment supports over 120 million patient procedures annually worldwide, reinforcing GE HealthCare’s leadership in diagnostic imaging.
Broader impact and innovations
This acquisition comes as GE HealthCare continues to showcase its innovations in the healthcare industry.
At the Radiological Society of North America’s (RSNA) 2024 Annual Meeting in Chicago, the company presented over 40 technologies, including several AI-driven solutions designed to optimize patient care and improve operational efficiencies.
Notable among them were:
Additionally, GE HealthCare unveiled the Pristina Via mammography system, a new tool designed to improve the breast screening experience for both technologists and patients.
The system offers a suite of advanced tools to balance diagnostic accuracy with the fast-paced demands of modern healthcare environments.
