Walden Group Strategic Healthcare M&A Report Finds Aggregate Deal Value Substantially Down

Yet Challenging Economic Conditions Offer Growth Opportunities

TARRYTOWN, N.Y.--(EON:Enhanced Online News)--The Walden Group®, Inc., www.waldenmed.com, has just released its Strategic Healthcare M&A Report for the first quarter of 2008.

Richard S. Cohen, a principal of the firm, remarked that "While the number of covered M&A transactions for the first quarter of 2008 was comparable to the first quarter of 2007, aggregate value dropped substantially, due to the credit crunch and declining economic conditions. Yet, well-designed strategic transactions will continue to be part of the growth plan, as companies retool and make themselves more efficient for the future."

The Report analyzes the strategic rationale of more than 40 healthcare sector M&A transactions announced or closed during the first quarter of 2008.

The Report is available at http://www.waldenmed.com/newsletters.asp. The Walden Group’s dynamic Healthcare M&A database is also online at: http://www.waldenmed.com/quarterly/ma_db_quarters.htm

Qualified parties may obtain the report on a regular quarterly basis at no charge by completing the subscription form on the firm’s home page or by emailing contact information to [e-mail].

The Walden Group®, Inc., based in Tarrytown, NY, is a leading strategic healthcare investment banking firm focused on mergers and acquisitions. The firm helps public and private companies divest subsidiaries, divisions and product lines that no longer fit core strategic plans. It is also proficient in conducting “streamlined” acquisition searches and results-oriented corporate growth functions. In special situations, the firm invests its own funds and helps worthy and often overlooked businesses reach achievable milestones.