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The Bracco Group has finalized the acquisition of E-Z-EM, Inc., manufacturer of contrast media and medical devices for gastrointestinal (GI) radiology. The acquisition is valued at more than $241m.

The acquisition, which was announced on October 30, 2007, is valued at more than $241m.

E-Z-EM 's abdominal contrast agent business, along with the healthcare decontamination and the GI device businesses, will be integrated into Bracco Diagnostics Inc. (BDI), the US-based subsidiary of Bracco Imaging S.p.A. and part of the Bracco Group. The E-Z-EM contrast delivery, contrast data management, and point of care testing system businesses will move to ACIST Medical Systems, also part of the Bracco Group. BDI and ACIST have executed a co-marketing agreement to support the sales of E-Z-EM's injection systems and the EZ Chem™ Blood Analyzer.

Diana Bracco, Chairman and CEO of the Bracco Group, points out: "Bracco's acquisition of E-Z-EM comes shortly after the kick-off on January 1, 2008 of Bracco's direct presence in some of the main European countries such as Germany, France and the Benelux, replacing the previous management through joint venture with Altana Pharma.

"These are two fundamental milestones in the Group's globalization strategy," Diana Bracco continues, "which are both going in the direction we have always hoped: fully integrating our activities in Italy and abroad with our culture, which is based on constant investments in Research & Development, our commitment to improving health and the quality of life, and social responsibility."

"We believe that adding E-Z-EM 's portfolio, innovation and technical expertise creates distinctive and significant benefits for our customers," said Roberto Rettani, CEO of Bracco Imaging. "We're enhancing our ability to develop and offer a more comprehensive and integrated range of products and services with the potential of delivering a total patient management solution. This is good for our customers and good for our continued growth as a company."