Samsung buys local medical equipment maker

Samsung Electronics, the world's top computer memory chip maker, said Tuesday it has signed a deal to buy a controlling stake in a top South Korean medical equipment maker.

Samsung said the deal was part of its long-term strategic expansion into the medical devices business.

It said it would acquire a 43.5 percent stake in Medison from private equity firm Consus Asset Management.

Medison is the world's fifth-largest ultrasound equipment maker, holding an estimated 6.7 percent share of the global market.

Samsung said it would also buy a 100 percent stake in Prosonic, a South Korean manufacturer of probes and cables for ultrasound devices.

It said in a statement the ultrasound diagnostics device segment is a logical entry point into the health care equipment market due to technological similarities with its existing consumer electronics and IT products.

Samsung unveiled a plan earlier this year to invest 23 trillion won (20.1 billion dollars) in new businesses, including renewable energy and health care.

(c) 2010 AFP