ARES, a Portfolio Company of Highlander Partners, Acquires Cardiomed Cluj, Creating an Integrated Cardiology Powerhouse in Cluj-Napoca

December 22, 2021 – Cluj-Napoca, Romania – ARES, the largest private interventional cardiology hospital and Cardiomed, the largest private outpatient and imaging clinic in Cluj-Napoca specialized in cardiology join forces to offer patients integrated solutions, ranging from consultations, imaging and diagnosis to interventional cardiology treatment. Starting today, Cardiomed Cluj becomes part of ARES group of companies.

By combining Cardiomed Cluj with its own network of interventional cardiology centers, ARES is expanding its outpatient and imaging services, addressing patients’ needs earlier in their diagnosis and offering integrated preventive and curative solutions. ARES medical team in Cluj, made up of over 25 clinicians and interventionists, is joined by Cardiomed doctors, the largest private medical team in Cluj-Napoca, with over 145 clinicians, including 28 cardiologists. ARES thus becomes the main private provider of cardiological and related medical services in Cluj, offering imaging services (CT, MRI, mamograph, DEXA), clinical consultations and interventional cardiology and radiology procedures.

Patients will be able to access a full range of medical services at ARES and Cardiomed, from imaging investigations, clinical consultations for over 20 specialties, oncological treatments, minor surgery, as well as interventional treatments for cardiovascular diseases. Following today’s transaction, ARES will be providing services from three locations in Cluj with plans to expand further in Cluj-Napoca and in the region.

“Patients from Cluj now have access to an integrated cardiology medical experience. They will be investigated, diagnosed, and treated by doctors who work as a team, in a coordinated way to find the best personalized treatment. At ARES, the patients are always at the heart of our ecosystem and we strive for innovative solutions for each one of them. We have found similar values and the same philosophy at our Cardiomed partners and we are confident that together we will build a stronger team that meets the needs of the patients” said Geanina Durigu, CEO of ARES group of companies.

Carmen Mureșan, MD, the founder of Cardiomed, will continue to lead and expand the Cardiomed business, together with the team she has built and led successfully for the last 12 years.

“We are excited about our partnership with ARES, which will accelerate our growth in Cluj and in the region, while our patients will have access to integrated cardiology solutions, from diagnosis to interventional treatment. We are planning to further expand Cardiomed activity, as part of ARES group of companies and build on our solid base of high-quality medical services provided by our team, fully dedicated to the needs of our patients” declared dr. Muresan.

The transaction was assisted by consultants Andrei Bichescu, from Lionlinkadvisory and Radu Somlea and Monica Tintas, from Somlea si Asociatii, representing Cardiomed and by Daniela Buhus from TS Partners and by Amalia Ambrozie and Adrian Boca from Contradiction, representing Ares.

About Cardiomed Cluj-Napoca

Founded in 2008, Cardiomed is currently the largest private clinic specializing in cardiology in Cluj-Napoca. The clinic offers modern diagnostic and treatment services, in various specializations, from cardiology, oncology, dermatology, gynecology, ENT, endocrinology, allergology, internal medicine, to neurology, psychiatry, pneumology, rheumatology, nutrition, as well as imaging and blood tests.

About ARES

ARES is a leading healthcare player in Romania, offering the most innovative interventional cardiology and radiology procedures in public and private hospitals in Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Pitesti, Constanța and Tulcea. ARES’ mission in Romania is to ensure the access to as many patients as possible to innovative treatments, with a focus on cardiology. Delivering on this mission, during the over 10 years of activity, ARES’ medical team has successfully performed over 15 national and international premieres. Starting 2019, ARES is controlled by private equity fund, Highlander Partners. For more information, visit www.medicina-interventionala.ro.

About Highlander Partners

Highlander Partners, L.P. is a Dallas-based private investment firm with over $2 billion of assets under management. The firm focuses on making investments in businesses in targeted industries in which the principals of the firm have significant operating and investing experience, including basic manufacturing, food, chemicals, consumer products, and others. Highlander Partners uses a buy and build investment approach, creating value by helping companies grow both organically and through acquisitions. For more information, visit www.highlander-partners.com.