(October 23, 2024) -- BD (Becton, Dickinson and
Company) (NYSE: BDX) announced today that it signed a definitive
agreement to acquire HandyLab, Inc., an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based
company that develops and manufactures molecular diagnostic assays
and automation platforms. The acquisition is subject to regulatory
approvals and is expected to close during the first quarter of
fiscal year 2010. The financial terms of the agreement were not
disclosed.
Consistent with BDs stated acquisition strategy, and building
upon a previously announced development and distribution agreement
between BD and HandyLab earlier in 2009, the acquisition would
further extend BDs commitment to the novel HandyLab instrumentation
technology to support BDs molecular diagnostics strategy.
HandyLab has developed and commercialized a flexible automated
platform for performing molecular diagnostics which is an ideal
complement to our molecular diagnostics offerings, said Vincent A.
Forlenza, BD President. We believe this new platform enables both
our healthcare-associated infections offering and future expansion
into other molecular opportunities.
BD plans to place its BD GeneOhm" molecular assays for
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA),
Clostridium difficile and Vancomycin-resistant
Enterococcus (VRE) onto the HandyLab platform and market
them as the new BD MAX" system. The flexibility of this novel
platform will allow further expansion of the BD molecular
diagnostic menu. BD senior management will
address this announcement during the Companys fiscal fourth quarter
earnings call on November 4, 2009, which will be broadcast live on
BD's website, www.bd.com/investors,
at 10:00 a.m. (ET).
BD is a leading global medical technology company that develops,
manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and
reagents. The Company is dedicated to improving people's health
throughout the world. BD is focused on improving drug delivery,
enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases
and cancers, and advancing research, discovery and production of
new drugs and vaccines. BD's capabilities are instrumental in
combating many of the world's most pressing diseases. Founded in
1897 and headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, BD employs
approximately 29,000 associates in approximately 50 countries
throughout the world. The Company serves healthcare institutions,
life science researchers, clinical laboratories, the pharmaceutical
industry and the general public. For more information, please visit
www.bd.com
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This press release contains certain estimates and other
forward-looking statements (as defined under Federal securities
laws) regarding the acquisition of HandyLab, Inc., the timing of
the anticipated acquisition, the potential benefits of the
anticipated acquisition and the potential benefits of the products
and product candidates relating to the HandyLab instrumentation
technology and events or developments that BD expects to occur or
anticipates occurring in the future. All such statements are based
upon current expectations of BD and involve a number of business
risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially from
anticipated results described, implied or projected in any
forward-looking statement. With respect to forward-looking
statements contained herein, factors that could cause actual
results to vary materially from any forward-looking statement
include, but are not limited to: the satisfaction of closing
conditions with respect to the acquisition; the ability to
successfully integrate HandyLabs operations and programs with BDs
and the time and resources required to do so; difficulties inherent
in product development and delays in product introductions;
competitive factors; pricing and market share pressures; increases
in energy costs and their effect on, among other things, the cost
of producing BDs products; fluctuations in costs and availability
of raw materials and in BDs ability to maintain favorable supplier
arrangements and relationships; uncertainties of litigation (as
described in BDs filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission); the effects of potential pandemic diseases; changes in
healthcare or other governmental regulation, including changes
in government pricing and reimbursement policies or other
cost containment reforms; and issuance of new or revised
accounting standards, as well as other factors discussed in this
press release and in BDs filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. We do not intend to update any forward-looking
statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof
except as required by applicable laws or regulations.
SOURCE