Gambro
Former Swedish medical technology company specializing in dialysis and other extracorporeal therapies.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Gambro was a Swedish medical technology company founded in Lund in 1964 by industrialist Holger Crafoord after he became interested in Professor Nils Alwall's artificial-kidney research. The company developed, manufactured and supplied products for kidney dialysis, liver dialysis, myeloma-kidney therapy and other extracorporeal treatments used in both chronic and acute-care settings. Its early development centered on the commercialization of Alwall's artificial-kidney technology. Gambro began mass-producing single-use artificial kidneys in 1967, using the Ad-modum-Alwall dialyzer. The company's name was derived from an abbreviated form of its original Swedish name, Gamla Brogatans Sjukvårdsaffär Aktiebolag, approximately meaning the Old Bridge Street Medical Supplies Company. From its Swedish base, Gambro expanded internationally, opening its first plant outside Sweden in Hechingen, Germany, during the 1970s. Over time, Gambro grew from a dialyzer manufacturer into a broader provider of dialysis systems, consumables, treatment equipment and acute-care extracorporeal therapies. Its portfolio included dialyzers, dialysis machines, dialysis fluids, blood-treatment systems and equipment for continuous renal replacement therapy and fluid-removal procedures. The company also broadened its technology base through acquisitions, including Hospal in 1987, COBE in 1990, Teraklin in 2004 and CHF Solutions in 2010. CHF Solutions contributed ultrafiltration products and therapies for patients experiencing fluid overload. Gambro became a publicly listed company on the Stockholm Stock Exchange in 1983. In 2006, Indap AB, jointly owned by EQT and Investor AB, announced a cash offer for the outstanding shares. The transaction was completed later that year, taking Gambro into private ownership. During its later independent period, the company reported production facilities in nine countries, research and development operations in several European locations, and commercial representation in more than 100 countries. Its products were used in the treatment of hundreds of thousands of chronic renal disease patients annually. Baxter International agreed to acquire Gambro in 2013. The transaction received European Union antitrust approval in July 2013 and was completed in September 2013. Following the acquisition, Gambro's operations, technologies and product brands were progressively integrated into Baxter's renal-care and acute-care businesses. Gambro therefore no longer operates as an independent company, although some Gambro-originated products and technologies continued to have relevance within Baxter's portfolio.
History
Gambro originated in Lund, Sweden, where Professor Nils Alwall developed one of the early artificial kidneys. In 1964, industrialist Holger Crafoord became interested in Alwall's work and established a business intended to develop and commercialize the technology. This enterprise eventually adopted the name Gambro, derived from an abbreviation of Gamla Brogatans Sjukvårdsaffär Aktiebolag, the Swedish name of the original medical-supplies business. The company's first major commercial achievement was the development of disposable artificial kidneys. Mass production began in 1967 with the Ad-modum-Alwall dialyzer. This helped move artificial-kidney treatment toward repeatable clinical use by providing a standardized single-use component for hemodialysis. Gambro subsequently expanded beyond dialyzers into a wider renal-care platform that included dialysis machines, fluids, blood-treatment systems and related disposable products. International expansion followed. During the 1970s, Gambro built its first production facility outside Sweden in Hechingen, Germany. The German site later became the company's largest manufacturing location. Gambro also developed a wider global commercial network, eventually reporting facilities in nine countries, research and development activities at multiple European locations, and sales or representation in more than 100 countries. Gambro's expansion was supported both by internal product development and acquisitions. The company acquired Hospal in 1987 and COBE in 1990, adding capabilities and market presence in dialysis and blood-treatment technologies. In 2004 it acquired Teraklin, broadening its involvement in extracorporeal treatment applications. In 2010 it added CHF Solutions, a company focused on ultrafiltration therapies and products for managing fluid overload. These transactions reflected Gambro's effort to serve both chronic dialysis patients and patients requiring acute extracorporeal support. The company was listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange in 1983. In April 2006, Indap AB announced a cash offer for Gambro's outstanding shares. Indap was jointly owned by the Swedish investment firms EQT and Investor AB. The resulting ownership structure took effect in June 2006, and Gambro continued as a privately owned medical technology company. During its later independent years, Gambro maintained a substantial international manufacturing, research and commercial organization. Its products were used in chronic renal disease treatment, acute kidney injury care, fluid management and other extracorporeal therapies. The company stated that products bearing its technologies treated approximately 350,000 chronic renal disease patients annually, representing a significant share of the worldwide dialysis population at the time. Baxter International pursued Gambro as a strategic addition to its medical products and renal-care activities. The proposed acquisition was reviewed under European competition rules and received EU antitrust approval in July 2013. Baxter completed the transaction in September 2013. After completion, Gambro's business was incorporated into Baxter, and Gambro ceased to operate as an independent corporate entity. Some products, technologies and organizational capabilities associated with Gambro continued under Baxter while the standalone Gambro brand was progressively integrated.
- 2013
Baxter completes acquisition
[1]After EU regulatory approval, Baxter International completed its acquisition of Gambro in September 2013.
- 2010
CHF Solutions acquisition
[1]Gambro acquired CHF Solutions, adding ultrafiltration products and therapies for fluid overload.
- 2009
Opelika manufacturing facility begins production
[1]Gambro's manufacturing facility in Opelika, Alabama, began production.
- 2006
Indap takes Gambro private
[1]Indap's acquisition offer became effective, changing Gambro's ownership structure from public-company ownership to private ownership.
- 2004
Teraklin acquisition
[1]Gambro acquired Teraklin, adding further extracorporeal-treatment capabilities.
- 1990
COBE acquisition
[1]Gambro acquired COBE, strengthening its blood-treatment and medical-technology portfolio.
- 1987
Hospal acquisition
[1]Gambro acquired Hospal as part of its expansion in dialysis and related medical technologies.
- 1983
Gambro lists on the Stockholm Stock Exchange
[1]The company became publicly traded on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.
- 1970
First overseas manufacturing plant opens
[1]Gambro established its first production plant outside Sweden in Hechingen, Germany, during the 1970s.
- 1967
Mass production of disposable dialyzers begins
[1]Gambro began mass production of the Ad-modum-Alwall single-use artificial kidney.
Products and positioning
A global renal-care and extracorporeal-therapy technology supplier, combining dialysis equipment, disposable treatment components and acute-care blood-treatment systems.
Dialyzer · 1967
Ad-modum-Alwall dialyzer
Gambro's early single-use artificial kidney, introduced for mass production in 1967. The product represented the company's first major commercial application of Nils Alwall's artificial-kidney work and helped establish Gambro as a manufacturer of disposable components for hemodialysis.
Continuous renal replacement therapy system
Prismaflex
A Gambro-associated platform for continuous renal replacement therapy and other extracorporeal blood-treatment procedures. It was designed for acute-care environments, where clinicians require controlled removal of solutes and fluid from critically ill patients.
Hemodialysis machine
AK 96
A Gambro hemodialysis machine used in renal-replacement treatment. It formed part of the company's equipment portfolio alongside dialyzers, dialysis fluids and other consumable components used by dialysis providers.
Dialysis consumable · 1967
Dialyzers
Gambro manufactured dialyzers, the filtration components through which blood is processed during hemodialysis. Dialyzers were central to the company's original business and remained a major part of its renal-care product range.
Fluid-management therapy · 2010
Ultrafiltration therapies
Technologies obtained through the acquisition of CHF Solutions for removing excess fluid from patients. These products extended Gambro's activities beyond conventional dialysis into acute fluid-overload management.
Brand decisions
2013
Sell Gambro to Baxter InternationalM&ABackground
Baxter sought to expand its renal-care and acute-care medical technology activities through the acquisition of Gambro.
Action taken
The proposed transaction received EU antitrust approval in July 2013, and Baxter completed the acquisition in September 2013.
Aftermath
Gambro ceased to operate as an independent company and its operations and technologies were integrated into Baxter.
2006
Accept Indap's public cash offerM&ABackground
Gambro was a listed Swedish medical technology company when Indap AB, jointly owned by EQT and Investor AB, proposed acquiring all outstanding shares.
Action taken
The transaction became effective in June 2006 and moved Gambro into private ownership.
Aftermath
Gambro continued operating as an independent private company until its later acquisition by Baxter International.
Recent events
- 2013
EU clears Baxter's acquisition of Gambro[1]
M&A · Regulation
European Union antitrust regulators approved Baxter International's proposed acquisition of Gambro in July 2013.
- 2013
Baxter completes acquisition of Gambro[1]
M&A
Baxter International completed its acquisition of Gambro in September 2013, ending Gambro's existence as an independent medical technology company.
- 2006
Indap announces public cash offer for Gambro[1]
M&A
Indap AB, owned jointly by EQT and Investor AB, announced an offer to acquire all outstanding Gambro shares, beginning the company's transition from public ownership to a private ownership structure.
- 2006
Gambro ownership changes following Indap transaction[1]
M&A
The ownership structure associated with Indap's offer became effective in June 2006.
Sources1 sources
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