RLM.L Regulatory News (RLM)

5 Feb 2007 07:01

PuriCore Plc05 February 2007 5 February 2007 PuriCore Signs Exclusive UK Distribution Agreement with Minntech Corporation to Expand its Sterilox Endoscopy Portfolio PuriCore (LSE: PURI), the life sciences company focused on the development andcommercialisation of its novel, safe antimicrobial technology, today announcesthat its Sterilox Endoscopy division has signed an exclusive distributionagreement with Minntech Corporation ("Minntech"), one of the world's leadingmanufacturers of automated endoscope reprocessors ("AER"), and a subsidiary ofCantel Medical Corp (NYSE: CMN). This partnership significantly enhances PuriCore's product portfolio combiningits award winning Sterilox Solution with Minntech's MDS reprocessor systems, thelatest innovation in asynchronous AER technology. Under the terms of the agreement, PuriCore is responsible for distributing andservicing Minntech's endoscopy reprocessing portfolio, including its new MDSAER, to UK hospitals. Minntech's UK sales and technical support team willbecome employees of PuriCore's Sterilox Endoscopy division, and SteriloxEndoscopy will now service Minntech's installed base of approximately 125 AERsin UK hospitals, bringing PuriCore's total AER network to circa 600,representing an estimated 33% of the installed AER market. Additionally,Sterilox Endoscopy now has the opportunity to expand its market penetrationstrategy into the asynchronous AER segment, which represents around 27% of thetotal UK AER market. The agreement is effective immediately. Greg Bosch, Chief Executive of PuriCore, said: "Our partnership with Minntech reflects the next step in the evolution of ourSterilox Endoscopy business. Together, the combined strength of our products,teams, and installed base will enable us to respond better to market demands inthe UK. This combination further strengthens Sterilox Endoscopy's position asthe UK's leading provider of endoscopy reprocessing systems." Roy K. Malkin, President and CEO of Minntech Corporation, said: "We are very pleased with the past performance of our Minntech UK team, and areextremely excited about our new partnership with Sterilox Endoscopy that willallow us to even better serve our long term customers in the UK. I am confidentthat Sterilox Endoscopy is well positioned to market and service our products inthe UK, and in the not too distant future, we look forward to launching adedicated Minntech MDS reprocessor for use with the Sterilox Solution thatpromises to provide the absolute best alternative for our mutual endoscopycustomers. "We will be working closely with the Sterilox Endoscopy team to ensure aseamless transition of customer support." Contacts: PuriCore plc +1 (484) 321-2700Greg Bosch, Chief Executive OfficerKeith A. Goldan, Chief Financial Officer Financial Dynamics Tel: +44 (0) 20 7831 3113Ben BrewertonJohn Gilbert Notes to Editors: Sterilox Endoscopy is a division of PuriCore. About PuriCore PuriCore (LSE: PURI) is a life sciences company focused on the development andcommercialisation of its proprietary technology that mimics the production bythe human body of its natural anti-microbial, hypochlorous acid. Hypochlorousacid is highly effective at killing pathogens such as bacteria, viruses andfungi and yet is safe and environmentally friendly. PuriCore's solutions haveapplications in a wide range of markets where it is important to controlmicrobial contamination. These markets include medical device disinfection,food safety, dental equipment decontamination, environmental remediation,hospitality, water safety, wound management and other applications intended tolimit the spread of infectious disease, including major global disease threatssuch as Tuberculosis, MRSA, Influenza, E.coli, Norovirus, HIV, polio, HepatitisA, H.pylori and Legionella. PuriCore markets a portfolio of branded systems which produce hypochlorous acidsolutions on-site at a customer's location from water, electricity and commonsalt. These solutions are generated at a range of concentrations and at anearly neutral pH range similar to the human body. They are effective as soaks,sprays, mists and in other forms. PuriCore is headquartered in Malvern, Pennsylvania with offices in Stafford, UK. To receive additional information on PuriCore or its Sterilox Endoscopydivision, please visit our web site at www.puricore.com, which does not formpart of this press release. About Minntech Minntech is one of the world's leading manufacturers of endoscopy AERs with over62% of the US GI market and a strong European distribution network. The companywas founded in 1974, and since 2001 has been a part of Cantel Medical Corp., aleading provider of infection prevention and control products in the healthcaremarket. Cantel's products include specialized medical device reprocessingsystems for renal dialysis and endoscopy, dialysate concentrates and otherdialysis supplies, disposable infection control products primarily for thedental industry, water purification equipment, sterilants, disinfectants andcleaners, hollow fiber membrane filtration and separation products for medicaland non-medical applications, and specialty packaging for infectious andbiological specimens. Cantel also provides technical maintenance for itsproducts and offers compliance training services for the transport of infectiousand biological specimens. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange