BD to acquire Carmel Pharma

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 very well with BD's purpose of 'Helping all people live healthy lives.'"