Vision-Sciences, Medtronic unit in pact

Vision-Sciences (Natick, Massachusetts) said it has signed a distribution agreement under which Medtronic USA, a unit of Medtronic (Minneapolis), has become the exclusive distributor in the U.S. and Canada of Vision Sciences' Flexible Cystoscope with Slide-On EndoSheath System within the field of urology, including urogynecology.

Medtronic will market and sell Vision Sciences' cystoscopy products, under Vision Sciences' brand names, through its dedicated uro-diagnostic sales force.

Ron Hadani, president and CEO of Vision-Sciences, said, “Following a strong interest during the annual American Urological Association congress held in San Francisco [last] year, this agreement marks the official commercial introduction of our new technology and product line to the domestic urology market. We believe that the innovative EndoSheath System, coupled with Medtronic's highly professional and established sales and marketing forces, will result in effective market penetration for the products.“

He added, “This is the second Medtronic division with which we have established distribution arrangements, following the exclusive distribution agreement we entered into in August 2003 with Medtronic Xomed, the company's ENT division.“

Lifecore renews Alcon agreement

Lifecore Biomedical (Chaska, Minnesota) reported that it has renewed its supply agreement with Alcon (Fort Worth, Texas), a global eye care company. Lifecore supplies hyaluronan to Alcon, a leader in ophthalmic products, for use in Viscoat Ophthalmic Viscoelastic Solution, an aid in anterior segment surgical procedures including cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation. The new agreement extends through December 2008 and retains minimum purchase commitments and other features of the previous agreement.

Lifecore manufactures biomaterials and medical devices for use in surgical markets through two divisions: its Hyaluronan Division conducts its business through OEM and contract manufacturing alliances in the ophthalmic, orthopedic, veterinary and gynecologic surgical fields; its Oral Restorative Division conducts its dental surgery business through direct sales and marketing in the U.S., Germany, Italy, and Sweden, and via 25 distributors in 35 countries.