Our history

In the early seventies Gert Persson overtook his father-in-law’s small industrial rubber company. The company was to be called Medical Rubber, today a part of Nolato. His brother Jan-Ove Persson had recently completed his studies and started a company producing molding tools mainly for Gert’s firm. Everything was small scale - to minimize cost Jan-Ove even bought used machinery that he renovated.

Small size, but big ideas. Gert and Jan-Ove saw the potential in the medical technology industry and started developing molded silicone products for companies such as Gambro and Pharmacia. The contact with the medical device industry inspired Jan-Ove to find new solutions for existing products as well as develop completely new ones.

1986

In 1986 the brothers brought their ideas to Pernovo, a division of the Perstorp Group. Pernovo liked what they saw and decided to join forces with the brothers. It would turn out to be a profitable liaison. The medical technical company Atos Medical was established as a spin-off from Medical Rubber.

1987

In 1987 Atos Medical was contacted by professor Frans Hilgers at the Netherlands Cancer Institute and this was a turning point for the still rather small company. Frans Hilgers had found that patients using existing voice prostheses weren’t satisfied when it came to voice rehabilitation. Using Frans Hilgers’ medical expertise Atos Medical begun to develop an indwelling prosthesis with low airflow resistance that would facilitate speech.

1990

In 1990 the voice prosthesis Provox®1 was launched to instant success. Already during its first year it conquered several European markets. The second-generation Provox prosthesis (Provox®2) was introduced in 1997.

Alongside the voice prostheses other ENT products were manufactured and Atos Medical turned into a complete ENT company.

Today

In 2009, we launched our third generation voice prosthesis Provox Vega globally, to replace the Provox2 prosthesis. Now, Provox Vega is continuously introduced on markets everywhere.

Jan-Ove Persson is today Research Manager at Atos Medical and continues to develop his ideas with unstoppable enthusiasm. This symbolizes the continuity that has been an important part of the company’s recipe for success. Today’s developers don’t have to renovate their own equipment though - at their disposal is a modern tool shop and a laboratory with sufficient capacity to undertake all the various tests and trials required for fast and successful R&D. Atos Medical is well equipped to find tomorrow’s solutions.

Tomorrow

In 2010 our work to launch new ENT products will result in several interesting releases.