(Reuters) – Airbus, the biggest shareholder in French artificial heart maker Carmat, said on Wednesday it was aware of Carmat’s financial difficulties but did not say whether it would support a possible fundraising.
The world’s largest planemaker holds a stake of more than 11% in Carmat and has invested around 50 million euros ($52.8 million) in the company, an Airbus spokesperson said in response to Reuters questions.
Carmat warned late Monday that supply issues meant it would miss its full-year sales target and it could run out of cash by the end of October, sending its shares down 27% on Tuesday.
Airbus says its involvement in Carmat dates back to creation of GIE Carmat in 1993 by Alain Carpentier and Matra Defense – a company which was acquired by one of French predecessor companies later merged into EADS predecessor Airbus.
($1 = 0.9471 euros)
(Reporting by Michal Aleksandrowicz and Tim Hepher; Editing by Mark Potter)
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