Immucor Announces Launch of ABS2000 in Japan
Tuesday November 2, 8:29 am Eastern Time
NORCROSS, Ga., Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Immucor, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLUD - news), a leading provider of blood bank reagents and related products, announced today that its exclusive distributor in Japan, Sanko Junyaku Co. Ltd., has received approval from the Japanese Ministry of Health to market the ABS2000 and the related reagents in Japan. The product will be launched immediately.
The ABS2000 is the flagship of the Immucor family of products and the only instrument of its kind offering fully automated blood bank analysis for the hospital transfusion service. It is the only fully automated blood bank system cleared for market by the Food and Drug Administration.
''We believe the instrument is a very good fit for the hospital market in Japan and are extremely pleased with the commitment Sanko has made to the ABS2000,'' said Edward L. Gallup, Immucor president and chief executive officer. ''Sales of the ABS2000 and its reagents in Japan should begin to contribute significantly to operating earnings during the remainder of fiscal 2000.''
The ABS2000 is a closed system instrument and relies upon Immucor's patented ''solid phase technology'' for its operation. Each ABS2000 placement can generate up to $25,000 per annum in recurring reagent sales.
''Sanko is very dedicated to the success of the ABS2000 in their marketplace,'' Gallup continued. ''They have put a tremendous amount of effort into this product launch. Sanko has a proven track record for introducing new products to the Japanese market, growing Immucor's proprietary manual solid phase technology sales to $600,000 in the first year of introduction. Japan has the most developed healthcare system in Asia and is the third largest marketplace for diagnostics in the world, a huge untapped opportunity for Immucor and Sanko.''
Commenting on the launch of the ABS2000 in Japan, Mr. Ryo Watanabe, President of Sanko Junyaku, stated, ''We have access to the world's only FDA cleared, fully automated instrument. We are convinced that there is a very large potential for placements as the Japanese healthcare system is anxious to automate.''
Founded in 1982, Immucor manufactures and sells a complete line of reagents and systems used by hospitals, reference laboratories and donor centers to detect and identify certain properties of the cell and serum components of blood prior to transfusion. Immucor markets a complete family of automated instrumentation, which provides solutions for all segments of the market. For more information on Immucor, please visit the company's website at www.immucor.com .
Sanko Junyaku Co. Ltd. occupies a leading position in the marketing of blood bank and diagnostic reagents and instruments in Japan. They are recognized for a strong direct distribution network in addition to a reputation for quality products and service.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995, including, without limitation, statements concerning the Company's expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In particular, statements concerning projected instrument placements are forward-looking statements and it is not certain this will occur. All forward-looking statements included in this document are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward- looking statements. Further risks are detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those set forth in the Company's most recent Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.
SOURCE: Immucor, Inc. |
