ITL BioMedical, a division of ITL, announced that it has signed a five year distribution agreement, with possible ongoing renewals, for its Safety SubCulture Unit (SCU) with bioMérieux Canada.

The total estimated number of subculture procedures performed in the Canadian market per year is between 700,000 to one million.

bioMérieux Canada Inc. is a subsidiary of bioMérieux (Euronext: BIM), a world leader in in vitro diagnostics for more than 50 years. 

bioMérieux provides diagnostic solutions (reagents, instruments, software) which determine the source of disease and contamination to improve patient health and ensure consumer safety.

ITL BioMedical has partnered with bioMérieux for over five years for the supply of bacterial screening ancillaries as well as the SCU in the United Kingdom, and has recently signed a global distribution agreement for ITL's SampLok® Sampling Kit (SSK), one of these ancillaries.

SCU is a highly innovative state of the art product that is utilized in laboratories to safely transfer samples that have tested positive for bacteria for further testing.  The design incorporates process efficiencies, safety in reducing potential for needlestick injuries, and reduced biohazard exposure to potential sprays and aerosols, among other benefits. 

 The device is compatible with bacterial culture bottles, offering two methods for sample transfer, both a drip method onto a culture plate as well as a controlled measurement of sample volume into a syringe.

"This distribution contract with bioMérieux Canada Inc. is yet another excellent achievement by ITL BioMedical this year," commented Bill Mobbs, Executive Chairman of ITL.  "bioMérieux is a highly respected company and its global presence will facilitate the expansion of SCU sales."

ITL BioMedical is a division of ITL that sets industry standards for the innovative design and production of biological sampling systems for human and animal use. 

The Division's patented medical devices focus on safety and process efficiency for end-users and their blood donors and patients in blood collection centers and healthcare markets worldwide.