CareFusion and West Pharmaceutical Services have agreed to jointly develop and market a new, needle-free vial access device, as part of a five year global distribution and supply agreement.
The device will be based on West’s vented vial adapter in combination with CareFusion’s needle-free connector and closed male luer technologies.
The agreement provides West with exclusive worldwide rights to sell the Texium closed male luer to pharmaceutical companies and contract manufacturers as part of a drug kit.
West also obtains non-exclusive rights to sell SmartSite in conjunction with Texium.
The agreement further provides CareFusion, which sells products and services to hospitals around the world, with exclusive worldwide rights to sell the new vented-vial access device on a standalone basis to hospital, physician and pharmacy customers.
In addition, CareFusion plans to replace its current vented-vial product with the new, jointly developed product.
The new device, which will be available in late 2011, is intended not only to help prevent leaks, but also reduce surface contamination and risk of exposure during a drug product’s reconstitution process.
West Administration Systems, Americas associate director of Marketing Glen Zimmermann said the new vented-vial access system can be used for transportation, reconstitution and administration of hazardous substances such as chemotherapy, antivirals and other cytotoxic drug products.