ThermoGenesis, a supplier of medical devices for processing and storing adult stem cells, has signed a new distribution agreement with Fenwal. With the new agreement ThermoGenesis intends to focus on growing medical markets in China, India and Japan.
Under the exclusive five-year agreement, Fenwal will market and distribute the ThermoGenesis AXP AutoXpress (AXP) System and BioArchive System for use in cord blood processing and storage in China, India and Japan.
The agreement with Fenwal follows the completion in late January of an enhanced distribution agreement with GE Healthcare for the AXP System. The agreement with GE Healthcare does not cover China, India or Japan.
In August 2009, Fenwal and Golden Meditech agreed to form a joint venture in China to focus on blood collection and transfusion products. The deal is anticipated to be completed early this year, subject to the signing of a definitive agreement and other customary company and regulatory conditions.
Fenwal is a provider of manual and automated products for blood collection, separation and storage, specializing in the development and sale of medical technology and single-use, sterile medical products. Fenwal is based in Lake Zurich, IL, and serves blood and plasma centers and hospitals on five continents.
Melville Engle, chief executive officer of ThermoGenesis, said: “This agreement represents a significant milestone in our strategy to expand sales of our industry-leading cord blood devices and demonstrates the momentum we are building in regenerative medicine.”
“We are delighted to be partnering with Fenwal, as they are a leader in blood collection and separation, and have a major global presence that can help grow our business.”
Dean Gregory, senior vice president of global commercial operations at Fenwal, said: “Regenerative medicine is a growing field, and we are pleased to work with a leader such as ThermoGenesis. ThermoGenesis offers advanced technology of growing interest to our customer base in Asia.”