• 3M (St. Paul, Minnesota) and Zargis Medical (Princeton, New Jersey) reported an exclusive multi-year marketing agreement. Zargis said it will support 3M in its efforts to develop a next-generation stethoscope compatible with Zargis' heart sound analysis software. The date that the software will become available with a 3M Littmann stethoscope was not disclosed. "This agreement builds on the rich Littmann brand legacy of advancing the art of auscultation," said Chuck Kummeth, VP and general manager of 3M's medical division. "We are committed to bringing innovative solutions to our customers, and this agreement with Zargis will help us do this well into the future." "We have been working closely with 3M for nearly two years to further evaluate this market and refine our product strategy," said Zargis CEO John Kallassy. "We believe that the use of our software could enhance the physician experience during every patient exam where a stethoscope is currently used. This alliance with 3M will allow us to seamlessly integrate our advanced sound analysis technology with 3M's next-generation electronic stethoscopes and turn this vision into a reality on a global level." The alliance also provides Zargis with exclusive rights to sell its heart sound analysis software through the global distribution network of the Littman brand. The agreement grants 3M a minority equity position in Zargis, following the first sale of Zargis' software through the 3M distribution channel, and a seat on Zargis' board. 3M HealthCare, one of 3M's six major business segments, provides products and services to healthcare professionals intended to improve the practice, delivery and outcome of patient care in medical, oral care, drug delivery and health information markets. Zargis develops diagnostic decision support products and services for healthcare professionals.
  • Alpha Innotech (AI; San Leandro, California) a provider of bioanalytical systems for drug discovery and life science research, reported a product development and OEM supply agreement with R&C Biogenius (Los Angeles). AI will supply R&C on an OEM basis a new bioimaging instrument optimized for R&C's assay for multi-analyte single well ELISA tests. The agreement includes undisclosed development payments and sales milestones. "The introduction of an integrated solution for simultaneously performing many important tests on a single biological specimen will reshape the molecular diagnostic market," said Sia Ghazvini, VP of business development at AI. R&C Biogenius specializes in research and development in the field of in vitro diagnostics, particularly in the areas of heart risk and infectious disease.
  • Arteriocyte Medical Systems (Cleveland) reported a deal with Medtronic (Minneapolis) that includes the purchase of Medtronic's Magellan Platelet Business, an exclusive, five-year distribution agreement in the cardiac surgery market and a manufacturing services agreement for the Magellan products. Medtronic's cardiac surgery sales force includes 80 representatives throughout North America and Europe, placing the Magellan system in more than 400 surgical centers. The Magellan System, a one-source biologic concentrator and delivery system, collects and concentrates platelets and white blood cells from a small volume of the patient's own blood, providing a supply of plasma as a foundation for autologous platelet gel. Medtronic says the system presents an opportunity to accelerate wound healing and reduce infection in cardiac surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, orthopedics and vascular surgery.
  • Biotronik (Lake Oswego, Oregon) reported a distribution agreement with MedSource (Stillwater, Minnesota) that will allow the Biotronik sales force to begin distributing patient monitoring equipment and diagnostic devices. The agreement allows Biotronik to represent the MedSource MultiView Holter, which provides signal-averaged, late potential analysis as well as multi-mode, multi-channel, multi-day recordings. Other products included in this deal are automatic external defibrillators, an ambulatory blood pressure monitor, and Holter software products.
  • Good Samaritan Hospital (Los Angeles), a 408-bed tertiary care facility, has selected the Horizon Medical Imaging PACS and Horizon Cardiology cardiovascular image and information management solution (CVIS) from McKesson (San Francisco). Good Samaritan offers cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery; a neurosciences program featuring the Gamma Knife radiosurgery; an opthalmologic program including retinal surgery; an orthopedic surgical program including sports medicine; an oncology program; kidney stone services; a transfusion-free medicine and surgery center; and emergency services. McKesson provides pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management across the spectrum of care; healthcare information technology for hospitals, physicians, homecare and payors; hospital and retail pharmacy automation; and services for manufacturers and payors designed to improve outcomes for patients.
  • Vertellus Biomaterials, a subsidiary of the Health and Specialty Products division of Vertellus Specialties (all Indianapolis), reported signing a long-term, global license and supply agreement with Sorin Group Italia (Mirandola, Italy). The agreement, which runs until the end of 2012, covers the supply of Vertellus' PC Technology to Sorin for coating cardiopulmonary bypass equipment used during open heart surgery. Sorin Group Italia is a business unit of the Sorin Group (Milan).