AU Optronics Corp. ("AUO" or the "Company") has resolved at its board of directors' meeting on 23 February to acquire a 5%-30% stake in Crstalvue Medical Corporation (hereafter 'Crstalvue') through its subsidiary, AUO Display Plus, in order to respond to its two-pronged transformation. Through this acquisition, AUO expects both companies to combine their strengths in optics and display technology to become key strategic partners in the joint development of vertically integrated health care system.
AUO Diaplay Plus specialises in a wide range of areas including education, enterprise, retail, healthcare and transportation, and works with partners to develop display value-added applications and provide integrated software and hardware solutions. In the midst of the digital transformation of precision medicine, telemedicine and personalised prevention, AUO has leveraged its expertise in medical imaging to focus on areas such as smart OR, diagnostics and integrated medical information management, and continues to connect with partners in the healthcare ecosystem to provide comprehensive smart medical solutions.
As a leading manufacturer of high-end ophthalmic medical devices in Taiwan, Crystalvue is capable of integrating optical, mechanical, electronic and software technologies, and has accumulated considerable experience in quality system certification, with products sold to over 80 countries.
AUO's Chairman and CEO, Mr. Paul Peng, said that the company has long been involved in healthcare, and is well positioned in terms of its expertise in ophthalmic medical diagnostic instruments, channel resources and medical device manufacturing. Through the cooperation between AUO Display Plus and Crystalvue, the company hopes to develop "ophthalmic testing and diagnostic" solutions with high efficiency, reliability and accurate images, and jointly expand its healthcare business.
As one of the world's top two leading manufacturers of professional medical displays, AUO Display+ has built up a strong R&D capability in medical displays. The company is pleased to see the formation of a smart medical ecosystem between AUO and Crystalvue and look forward to a closer partnership in the future.
The share acquisition will be a public tender offer for the issued ordinary shares of Crystalvue at a consideration of NTD 67 per share. The public offer will run from 1 March, 2023 to 10April, 2023. The maximum number of shares to be acquired is 7,283 thousand shares (approximately 30% of the total number of ordinary shares issued by Crystalvue) and the minimum number of shares to be acquired is 1,214 thousand shares (approximately 5.0% of the total number of ordinary shares issued by Crystalvue).
