Analogic (Peabody, Massachusetts) and Philips Medical Systems (Best, the Netherlands), have signed a new agreement. Until recently Analogic was the sole supplier of mid-range computed tomography (CT) systems to Philips. Last year, however, Philips acquired Marconi Medical Systems, which supplies CT systems as well as other medical imaging equipment. In light of that acquisition, Philips and Analogic determined to restructure the existing CT contract between them and develop a new agreement. The two companies have signed a multi-year, multi-million-dollar agreement aimed at invoking new areas of cooperation. Among them will be advanced engineering and manufacturing services provided by Analogic to develop additional subassemblies and components for Philips. Analogic also will continue to supply data acquisition systems, spare parts and engineering services for the Analogic-supplied CT systems Philips has installed around the world. In addition, Analogic, now designated as a preferred supplier to Philips, will continue to supply a growing range of models of patient monitoring equipment to Philips.

American Bio Medica (ABMC; Kinderhook, New York) and Hema Diagnostic Systems (HDS; Miami Beach, Florida) have signed a multi-year contract manufacturing agreement that will lead to the introduction of a new on-site diagnostic test for HIV-1. Named Rapid 1-2-3 HEMA, the test has been in development in the U.S. for the past 18 months. It is an assay that includes a test strip, as well as a test housing, designed to be easy-to-use, efficient and minimize the possibility of sample cross-contamination. The test will be manufactured and distributed at a low cost outside of North America. ABMC will manufacture the bulk test strips, a component of the Rapid 1-2-3 HEMA, at its Bridgeport, New Jersey, production facility.

Corgenix Medical (Westminster, Colorado) has established a major strategic collaboration with Genesis Bioventures (Surrey, British Columbia) to develop, in ELISA format, products from GBI's Mammastatin Serum Assay (MSA) for breast cancer risk assessment. JPS Capital provided financial consulting services to Genesis and helped to facilitate the partnership. The terms of the collaboration, including financial considerations, were withheld pending completion of a formal agreement. Corgenix will develop the new products using Corgenix ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) technology. In addition to the product development program, the two companies said they expect to seek additional mutually beneficial opportunities created by their relationship, including other joint collaborative R&D efforts, manufacturing technologies, strategic market planning, management of clinical trials and regulatory issues, and opportunities for worldwide product distribution.

FzioMed (San Luis Obispo, California), a developer of absorbable biosurgery products, has signed a European distribution agreement with DePuy AcroMed (Warsaw, Indiana), a Johnson & Johnson (New Brunswick, New Jersey) company focused on the development of spinal products used by orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons. DePuy AcroMed will distribute FzioMed's Oxiplex/SP Adhesion Prevention Gel in Europe to orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons for use in spine surgical procedures such as laminectomy and discectomy. FzioMed will manufacture the product and provide sales support and training assistance. Oxiplex/SP Gel is a bioabsorbable gel that is applied during spinal surgery to reduce post-operative internal scarring, also known as post-surgical adhesions.

Medical Services International (MSI; Edmonton, Alberta) has signed an agreement with Consolidated Mercantile Consulting Group (CMCG) to act as MSI's exclusive distributor of the Vscan Rapid Test Kits in Iraq. The distribution agreement is for a five-year period and began on July 1. CMCG must purchase a minimum of 50,000 VScan Rapid Test Kits in each year of the agreement. They will be responsible for obtaining all required regulatory approvals in Iraq.

Parallax Medical (Scotts Valley, California), a wholly owned subsidiary of Medical Device Alliance (Las Vegas, Nevada), has amended the distribution agreement originally signed with Medtronic Sofamor Danek (Memphis, Tennessee) in April 2000 to sell its line of products for the percutaneous delivery of bone cement. The addendum to the agreement converts the original 2000 agreement from worldwide exclusivity to non-exclusivity in the U.S. and selected foreign countries. The agreement now calls for Medtronic Sofamor Danek to call on only orthopedic surgeons, spinal surgeons and neurospinal surgeons. Parallax said it has launched a national sales force to call on radiologists, interventional radiologists and interventional neuroradiologists.

Rochester Medical (Stewartville, Minnesota) has signed an agreement with Coloplast (Humelbaek, Denmark) for the marketing and distribution of its anti-infection Release-NF Foley Catheters. The agreement provides Coloplast with exclusive marketing and distribution rights for the anti-infection catheters in all countries of the world with the exception of the U.S., Canada, South Korea and Turkey. Their rights include all future enhanced versions of the product. The agreement provides for cooperation between the two companies to develop those enhancements.