Massachusetts-based medical devices maker ZOLL Medical (ZOLL) has won a major supply contract for its automated external defibrillators (AEDs), devices that diagnose and treat sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). Brazil’s Ministry of Health has awarded the company a contract to provide its AED Plus devices for the country’s early defibrillation program.   
 
The contract, which involves more than 5,000 such devices, represents the biggest single order placed for AED Plus since its launch in 2002. Moreover, it is also the largest AED purchase by Brazil’s Ministry of Health.
 
The AED Plus defibrillators will be installed by SAMU (Sistema de Atendimento Movel de Urgencia), the public emergency medical services (EMS) in Brazil. The devices are expected to play a critical role in improving resuscitation (an emergency life-support procedure) and survival rate for SCA victims across Brazil.
 
SAMU Brasilia implemented ZOLL Medical’s AutoPulse cardiac support pumps in February 2010 as it installed 40 units of the device in its fleet of ambulances under a half-million dollar contract.
 
ZOLL Medical develops and markets non-invasive resuscitation devices and related software solutions both in the U.S. and overseas markets. It is a leading player in the global market for external defibrillators, which is worth more than $1 billion.
 
The company is the innovator of a wide range of product features that have become the standard of care in the external defibrillator industry. It remains committed to expanding its product range to sustain growth in this market. ZOLL Medical competes with Cardiac Science Corporation (CSCX), HeartSine Technologies and Defibtech in the AED market.
 
To boost growth, ZOLL Medical is expanding its footprint in the international markets. The company conducts its international operations through its subsidiaries in Canada, Germany, Austria, The Netherlands, France, Australia, New Zealand and the U.K. International markets contributed roughly 25% of consolidated revenues for fiscal 2009.
 
SCA, the abrupt loss of cardiac function, is one of the major causes of unexpected deaths. Early defibrillation raises the chances of survival from just 5% to more than 50%. The availability of AEDs within the first few minutes of the onset of SCA may considerably improve survival rates. With the SAMU contract in place, ZOLL Medical is expected to play a major role in treating this near-fatal condition in Brazil. Currently, we have a Neutral recommendation on ZOLL Medical.
 
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