A Medical Device Daily

Luminex Molecular Diagnostics (LMD; Toronto Ontario), a division of Luminex (Austin, Texas), a developer of multiplexing solutions, has signed a global sales and distribution agreement with the molecular diagnostics business of Abbott (Abott Park, Illinois). Abbott will have exclusive right to distribute Luminex’s new xTAG Respiratory Viral Panel (RVP) worldwide outside the U.S. and semi-exclusive rights in the U.S.

Based on Luminex’s xMAP multiplexing technology, xTAG RVP was created by LMD, in partnership with a team of virologists and infectious disease specialists. In a matter of hours from a single patient sample, the test allows doctors to detect the presence or absence of several viruses and subtypes at once.

“We believe that xTAG RVP has the potential to significantly impact the detection, treatment, and control of respiratory viruses worldwide,” said Douglas Bryant, executive VP and COO of Luminex. “Abbott’s long-standing dedication to ... human health, combined with their global customer base, will make them a strong partner in bringing xTAG RVP to more physicians, public health authorities and patients around the world.”

xTAG RVP received FDA 510(k) clearance in January and was CE marked in November 2006.

In other agreements:

• Amerinet (St. Louis) has signed a new agreement to serve as the exclusive group purchasing organization for the New York State Ambulatory Association of Surgery Centers (NYSAASC; Syracuse, New York).

Margaret Alteri, association president, said, “We chose Amerinet because of their proven record of success and ability to deliver, not just the benefits of group purchasing, but unique cost-saving solutions.”

The partnership will focus on cost reduction, contract evaluation and implementation, and education and program coordination at all of the association’s member facilities. Amerinet also will negotiate custom contracts on behalf of NYSAASC members and make available products and services provided by industry leaders.

• Premier Purchasing Partners (Charlotte, North Carolina) reported new agreements for medical gas pipeline, equipment, services and accessories awarded to Allied Healthcare Products of St. Louis, a small business supplier, and Ohio Medical (Gurnee, Illinois).

The agreements, effective Feb. 1, are available to acute care and continuum of members of the Premier alliance.

The Premier healthcare alliance serves 1,700 U.S. hospitals and more than 49,000 other healthcare sites.