Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Meridian Bioscience, Inc. announced that its Magellan Diagnostics business unit has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with MedCaptain Medical Technology Co., Ltd. (MedCaptain, www.medcaptain.com/en/), a leading innovator in the fields of infusion management, in-vitro diagnostics, and rehabilitation care in the Chinese market. Magellan Diagnostics’ LeadCare® II blood lead testing system is the only FDA and CFDA cleared, rapid and portable system capable of providing a quantitative blood lead result in just three minutes. LeadCare II is used in thousands of pediatric and primary care settings in the United States to help doctors diagnose lead exposure quickly and easily.
Based on Guidelines from the National Health and Family Planning Commission of China, testing for blood lead levels is a priority for monitoring heavy metal poisoning of children and adults considered at high risk. Lead is a well-known neurotoxin that can cause deficits in fertility, fetal growth, intellectual development, learning capabilities and behavior. Often the only way to know if an individual has been exposed to lead is to conduct a blood lead test.
The need for blood lead testing is widespread across the globe, especially in areas like China where battery manufacturing/recycling, e-waste, mining and smelting industries are common. The prevalence of lead exposure varies across China, yet is believed to be 9% to 25% of the population. Having access to portable, accurate, easy to use testing will provide clinicians greater ability to take action, reducing the impact of lead exposure on their patients.
Discussing this agreement, Amy Winslow, President and CEO of Magellan Diagnostics noted, “Our new relationship with MedCaptain is an early indicator of expected synergies between Meridian and Magellan. Following LeadCare II’s approval by the China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) in August, Meridian’s Asia Pacific team was able to quickly identify a motivated and knowledgeable distribution partner. Together with MedCaptain, Meridian and Magellan will focus on growth in a geography where lead exposure is a significant health risk.”
Lourdes Weltzien, President of Meridian Asia Pacific, who will oversee the partnership, commented, “We are excited about our exclusive relationship with the capable MedCaptain team, which will drive our expansion in China. Environmental pollutants in the air, food and water continue to affect children in China. We are looking forward to having a positive impact with a device that can be used anywhere and provide answers in three minutes. We will focus on creating awareness about the dangers of lead exposure and how to prevent it so that the children of China can reach their full potential.”
Distribution activities with MedCaptain will begin in January 2017. Partnering with Meridian Bioscience and Magellan Diagnostics, MedCaptain will invest in educating Chinese physicians and consumers about the risks and management of lead poisoning through a series of seminars and academic conferences.
