Advances BD Diagnostics’ Point-of-Care Strategy
BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), a leading global medical technology company, announced today that it has acquired Alverix, Inc., a privately-held diagnostic instrument company known for its optoelectronics expertise. Since 2008, BD and Alverix have collaborated in the point-of-care diagnostic market with the design and development of the BD Veritor™ System, which has been very well received in hospitals, laboratories, physician offices and clinics.
“Point-of-care testing is increasingly an integral part of patient healthcare in both developed and developing countries and BD is committed to expanding in this space,” said William A. Kozy, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, BD. “This acquisition enables BD to continue to strengthen and grow our point-of-care testing position.”
Alverix, headquartered in San Jose, California, is a key supplier to BD Diagnostics’ point-of-care instrument platform. The BD Veritor System integrates Advanced Particle and Adaptive Read Technology with a compact reader, providing healthcare providers an objective interpretation of diagnostic results within approximately 10 minutes. BD’s previous development agreement with Alverix included the launch of the BD Veritor System for rapid detection of Flu A+B, Group A Strep, Adenovirus, and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) for use in clinical laboratories and in physicians’ offices.
BD acquired Alverix for $40 million. The transaction is expected to be minimally dilutive for fiscal year 2014, and will not impact BD’s previously communicated 2014 earnings guidance.