Getting a PET scan in Europe could become easier as Siemens Healthineers agreed to buy drug giant Novartis's nuclear diagnostics imaging business. Meanwhile, Enlitic announced it plans to acquire a radiology rival as a springboard for future growth, the company's CEO Michael Sistenich said in a statement.

Rounding out mergers and acquisitions news this week, PatientPay said it would combine with ClearGage to become a powerhouse in healthcare billing and payments while Check Point Software announced that it is adding artificial intelligence-enhanced analyses informed by the dark web in partnership with fast-growing Cyberint. 

Siemens picks up AAA diagnostics

Siemens Healthineers said it will be able to expand its U.S.-based PET radiopharmaceuticals business into Europe with the acquisition of Novartis's molecular imaging business for $223 million, according to the Financial Times.

Switzerland-based Novartis initially purchased the radiopharmaceutical technology known as Advanced Accelerator Application in 2017 for nearly $4 billion. According to a Reuters story about that sale, AAA's technology created images of organs and lesions by deploying trace amounts of radioactive compounds to diagnose diseases, and could also be used to fight cancer.

Last week's story about the Siemens transaction indicated that the imaging giant seeks to produce the necessary nuclear isotopes, with their shorter half-lives, nearer to European imaging centers, because the compounds need to be used on the day they are manufactured.

Sources at the companies reportedly confirmed the deal and said, pending regulatory approvals, it is expected to close this year.

Enlitic acquires Laitek for $5M

The Fort Collins, Colorado-based software company that aims to improve clinical workflows and expand capacity in healthcare by using AI to manage data announced that it has signed a conditional agreement to acquire a competitor, Laitek.

Laitek, which focuses on rapid PACS data migration, has a steady flow of new migration projects, according to Enlitic's August 29 announcement. The acquisition includes all of the company's proprietary capabilities, historical data, trade secrets and existing customer relationships.

By adding Laitek's healthcare medical imaging data migration and routing services to its suite of AI-enhanced medical imaging data software licensed to providers, Enlitic said the consolidation will increase access to new clients, increase revenue synergies and create cost savings.

"Laitek and Enlitic are a strong strategic fit, allowing the provision of a differentiated and synergistic service offering for our clients," Sistenich said in a statement. 

The combined capabilities will help address "multiple long-standing operational challenges, such as data migrations and storage, data standardization and the transition to cloud solutions," he said.

The acquisition is conditional on Enlitic successfully conducting a capital raise.

PatientPay merges with ClearGage 

PatientPay, a patient billing and payments partner for acute, ambulatory and specialty care, will merge with ClearGage, a vendor of healthcare estimate and payment solutions. 

The combination will enable PatientPay to develop and launch an advanced digital infrastructure that better connects patients and providers, the company said in its announcement last week.

By joining forces, the combined platform aims to better align consumer experiences "with the financial goals and needs of healthcare organizations," Ryan Zemmin, CEO of ClearGage, said in a statement.

"Our shared ability to remove friction from the patient financial experience and collect payments quickly is why our clients continue to rely on us to protect and grow the financial health of their organization," Tom Furr, CEO of PatientPay, added.

Check Point adds AI-driven intelligence

Redwood City, California-based Check Point Software announced on August 27 that it agreed to purchase the advanced threat prevention capabilities of Cyberint, including detection and takedown of impersonating website and social media accounts, stolen credentials and leaked data.

"Leaked credentials and fake websites designed for malicious purposes are staggeringly prevalent today, with over 90% of organizations facing these threats," Yochai Corem, CEO at Cyberint, said in a statement.

Founded in 2010, the external risk-management vendor serves a diverse list of global clientele and Fortune 500 companies, and will enhance Check Point's SOC capabilities, added Sharon Schusheim, Check Point's chief services officer.

"We will be able to turn identified risks into autonomous preventative actions and work collaboratively across Check Point and third-party security products to contain compromised assets and mitigate external exposures," she said.

Cyberint's Argos Platform capabilities, which leverage intelligence from across the open, deep, and dark web and analyze evolving attack surfaces for new threats, will merge into Check Pint's Infinity Platform.

The transaction is expected to close in 2024, Check Point said.

Andrea Fox is senior editor of Healthcare IT News.
Email: afox@himss.org
Healthcare IT News is a HIMSS Media publication.

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