First Healthcare-Associated Infection Assay on the BD MAX™ System Launches in Europe

BALTIMORE, November 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- New, Fully Automated BD MAX™ MRSA Assay Rapidly Identifies Patients Colonized with Deadly Superbug

BD Diagnostics, a segment of BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company), today announced that it obtained CE Marking for the BD MAX™ MRSA Assay to rapidly and accurately identify methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in patients. Rapid and accurate information enables infection control measures to be implemented faster which can positively impact patient management. 

"When we launched BD MAX earlier this year, our goal was to provide a next-generation molecular testing system designed to accommodate a broad range of assays that laboratories want and need," said Tom Polen, President, BD Diagnostics - Diagnostic Systems.  "As the first healthcare-associated infection assay developed by BD for use on the BD MAX System, this milestone represents further confirmation of the potential of this fully-automated system. This system enables laboratories to offer a broad range of molecular tests that meet both their current and future clinical needs."

BD MAX is the first and only fully automated, bench-top molecular system designed to perform a broad range of molecular testing. This offers laboratory professionals the flexibility and versatility to perform CE/in vitro diagnostic (IVD) assays and user defined protocols on the same platform. 

"The challenge to fight healthcare-associated infections in Europe is resulting in an increased number of active surveillance programs for MRSA in a continually resource-constrained environment," said Hilja Ibert, Vice President and General Manager, BD Diagnostics - Diagnostic Systems in Europe.  "The BD MAX MRSA Assay on the BD MAX System provides significant laboratory efficiency and versatility to help address the increasing volume of molecular tests."

The dual functionality of open system and CE/IVD capabilities on the BD MAX System enables laboratories to consolidate a broad range of molecular tests on a single workstation. This flexibility provides clinicians with the best information to make critical treatment and management decisions to improve patient care.  According to Polen, BD plans to build on the successful launch of the BD MAX MRSA Assay by developing additional assays for the BD MAX System for a broad range of disease categories.  There are now more than 20 assays in the BD MAX System's content-rich menu pipeline.

For information about the new BD MAX System, please visit: http://www.bd.com/geneohm/english/products/max/

About BD

BD is a leading global medical technology company that develops, manufactures and sells medical devices, instrument systems and reagents. The Company is dedicated to improving people's health throughout the world. BD is focused on improving drug delivery, enhancing the quality and speed of diagnosing infectious diseases and cancers, and advancing research, discovery and production of new drugs and vaccines. BD's capabilities are instrumental in combating many of the world's most pressing diseases. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, BD employs approximately 29,000 associates in more than 50 countries throughout the world. The Company serves healthcare institutions, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, the pharmaceutical industry and the general public. For more information, please visit http://www.bd.com.

Contact:
Vikki Lomas
Corporate Communications
(+44)1865-781607
Vikki_Lomas@europe.bd.com