ArztPartner gets follow-on funding

PolyTechnos Venture-Partners has advised fund Enabling Technology LP lead a follow-on investment in the Germany company, ArztPartner almeda AG. Also participating this round were Burda Betiligungs Holding GmbH and private investors.

ArztPartner almeda informs and advises patients on behalf of insurance companies through a medical call centre and website contents (www.almeda.de). The company also monitors patients with diabetes and heart insufficiency and offers value added services to the healthcare industry, particularly pharma and biotech companies.

Pierre Hochuli, managing partner of PolyTechnos, said: “The German healthcare sector needs companies like ArztPartner almeda to contribute to the improvement of its healthcare system. This new round of financing will permit ArztPartner almeda to further strengthen its competitive position and develop a profitable business.”

Within the health industry insurance companies are currently expanding the purchases of services that inform patients through call centres and the Internet. The current investment combined with recent restructuring enables ArztPartner almeda to reach profitability. The latest investment follows initial funding in March 1999 by PolyTechnos Venture-Partner GmbH and a second round investment of DM22 million in December 1999 from PolyTechnos Venture-Partners GmbH and Burda Beteiligungs Holding GmbH.

Dr Roman Rittweger, chairman of the board of ArztPartner, said: “Only a few players besides us will succeed in refinancing their companies and reaching the break-even point already this year. In particular, big insurers expect their service companies to have a solid financial situation, as we already have.”