Terumo Corp. (TYO:4543) said today it inked a Japanese distribution deal with Xenex to distribute its Xenex LightStrike Germ-Zapping Robots in the region.
The LightStrike device is designed to use pulsed xenon ultraviolet room disinfection technology to remove pathogens such as C. diff, staphylococcus aureus and carbapenem-resistent Enterobacteriaceae, Terumo said. The Xenex LightStrike device has also been shown to be effective against Ebola and Anthrax, the company added.
“We have carefully analyzed the room disinfection industry and evaluated the various technologies that are being used to combat HAIs. In Xenex, we found an environmentally-friendly and evidence-based UV technology that has been shown to reduce hospital infection rates in multiple peer-reviewed published outcome studies, and this is why we have partnered with Xenex. We are dedicated to combatting infections, as evidenced by being the first company to launch disposable syringes in Japan. Helping hospitals bring down their infection rates is our goal, and we are confident that the Xenex LightStrike system will enable hospitals in Japan to reach this goal,” Terumo general hospital products division prez Tsuyoshi Tomita said in a press release.
The full room disinfection process with the germ fighting robot takes 5 minutes, the company said, and studies have shown a 50 to 100% decrease in MRSA, C.diff and surgical site infection rates after use. The device can disinfect between 30-62 rooms a day, the company said, including patient, operating, equipment, emergency, intensive care and public spaces.
“Like Xenex, Terumo was founded by scientists and has been a leader in helping hospitals reduce their infection rates for many years. They share our passion for patient safety, and we are very proud to partner with them to provide our LightStrike Germ-Zapping Robot technology to hospitals in Japan. The robot is very efficient and its speed enables it to disinfect areas and rooms quickly so they can be used throughout the entire facility, including multi-bed wards, to help reduce the risk of infection throughout the hospital,” Xenex global sales senior VP Joseph Authement said in prepared remarks.
Last month, Terumo said it reached an agreement with Abbott (NYSE:ABT) and St. Jude Medical (NYSE:STJ) to acquire vascular products from both companies in connection to their $25 billion merger.
The deal will include St. Jude’s Angio-Seal and FemoSeal vascular closure product lines and Abbott’s Vado steerable sheath. Together, the total annual sales of the businesses are approximately $268 million, Terumo said.
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