Fresenius, Kaiser Create Kidney Venture

Fresenius Medical Care and Kaiser Permanente said they agreed to form a joint venture to offer disease-management services to kidney disease patients enrolled in managed-care organizations. The new company, formed by Fresenius’ North American unit and Kaiser’s Southern California doctors group, will offer specialized health-care services for patients requiring pre-dialysis and dialysis treatment, both for members of Kaiser Permanente health plans and members of other plans, the companies said. Fresenius Medical Care North America is the largest provider of dialysis products and services in the United States. Oakland-based Kaiser Permanente is a not-for-profit health-care plan, serving 8.6 million members. Its Southern California Permanente Medical Group manages 3,200 physicians who serve Kaiser Permanente members in Southern California. Germany-based Fresenius’ American depositary receipts, which each represents one-third of an ordinary share, fell 56 cents to close at $27.69 on the New York Stock Exchange.