Smiths Group PLC
2 April 2002
Smiths Medical to market Medisys safety products
Smiths Group announces that it has acquired exclusive distribution rights to the
Futura safety syringe and other safety products, from Medisys PLC. Under the
agreement, Smiths Medical will have exclusive marketing rights over these
products in North America, Japan and the UK.
The Futura safety syringe complements Smiths' existing range of
needle-protection devices. This is a rapidly growing product area within Smiths
Medical, supported by legislative changes in the U.S. to protect health workers
from accidental 'needlestick' injuries
'This agreement shows our continuing commitment to the development of Smiths'
core Medical and Aerospace businesses,' commented Keith Butler-Wheelhouse, Chief
Executive of Smiths Group.
Under the terms of the agreement, Medisys receives an immediate $1 million cash
payment from Smiths. In addition, the agreement provides for an aggregate of
$3.95 million in tranches associated with the full commercial launch of the 3cc
Futura safety syringe as a co-branded product and upon delivery to Smiths by
Medisys of the first of the next generation of the Futura safety syringe
products.
Lawrence Kinet, Group Managing Director, Smiths Medical, commented: 'We view the
availability of a low cost retractable hypodermic system as essential to our
strategic growth plan for needle protection products.
With Medisys as our development partner, we believe we have an effective
solution for a broader product range, giving Smiths Medical the opportunity to
become a leader in the market for sharps safety products.'
The Futura products will be sold through Smiths Medical's dedicated safety
products field sales force. A full-scale marketing roll-out, sales training
programme and launch are being jointly planned by Smiths and Medisys.
Complementary products covered by the distribution agreement include a safety
scalpel and needleless connector system.
Note to editors:
The Futura Safety Syringe is an innovative safety syringe featuring an elastomer
based retraction function, which automatically and passively retracts the needle
upon full delivery of medication, thereby reducing significantly the risk of
needlestick injury. The Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act, signed into law
in November 2000, requires all US healthcare providers to evaluate and use
medical devices with engineered 'sharps' injury protection. The legislation
became effective in August 2001. The Futura Safety Syringe has been developed
by Futura Medical Corporation of San Diego, California, a wholly owned
subsidiary of Medisys PLC.
Smiths Group is a global business with market-leading positions in advanced
aerospace systems; mechanical and polymer seals; medical devices; and
interconnect products. Smiths Medical is a leading supplier of single-use
disposable devices used during critical and intensive care procedures and for
post-operative care. Further information can be found on the company's website:
www.smiths-group.com.
Medisys PLC develops, manufactures and markets diagnostic, medical and safety
products serving the rapid test and point of care medical markets.
Headquartered in London, the Group has two principal operating subsidiaries,
Hypoguard and Futura Medical Corporation, and operations in the UK and the US.
The diagnostic division, Hypoguard, develops and supplies blood glucose
monitoring systems for the diabetic market. Futura Medical Corporation offers a
range of medical products designed to improve the safety of healthcare
professionals in the workplace.
-ends-
Press enquiries to:
Smiths Group:
Richard Bayliss. Tel: 020 8457 8306 Mobile 07970 682818
Medisys PLC
Michael Barry, Chief Financial Officer. Tel: 020 7563 5200
Weber Shandwick Square Mile
Kevin Smith/Susanne Walker. Tel: 020 7950 2800
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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