FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., July 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — BD (Becton,
Dickinson and Company) (NYSE:
BDX), a leading global medical technology company, announced
today that it signed a definitive agreement to acquire Carmel
Pharma, Inc., a Swedish company that manufactures the PhaSeal®
System, the leading closed-system drug transfer device for the safe
handling of hazardous drugs that are packaged in vials. The
acquisition is expected to close by the end of BD’s fiscal year
2011. The financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The acquisition would expand the scope of BD’s healthcare worker
safety emphasis, especially in the area of parenteral medication
delivery.
“We believe that the combination of Carmel Pharma’s current
sales presence in hospital pharmacy with BD’s much broader
institutional presence on healthcare safety can accelerate adoption
of this key safety platform,” said William A. Kozy, BD Executive
Vice President.
The PhaSeal System minimizes the risk of exposure to potentially
harmful liquids and vapors from toxic drugs. It is typically used
by pharmacists, pharmacy techs, nurses and oncologists in
inpatient, outpatient and medical practice settings for the
preparation and administration of hazardous drugs such as those
used in the treatment of cancer. Studies continue to document
healthcare worker exposure to hazardous drugs in the preparation
and administration of hazardous drugs such as some
chemotherapeutics used in the treatment of cancer.
“Healthcare worker safety remains a major issue for global
healthcare, and hazardous drug exposure is an issue needing better
solutions. As cancer drug therapy proliferates, this is a
unique opportunity for BD to further expand its role in protecting
healthcare workers,” said Vincent A. Forlenza, BD President and
Chief Operating Officer. “This planned acquisition aligns
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