B. Braun, ICU Medical ink long-term distro deal

ICU Medical (NSDQ:ICUI) said today it inked a long-term distribution deal with B. Braun Medical for ICU’s SwabCap disinfecting cap for needlefree connectors for select countries outside the U.S.

San Clemente, Calif.-based ICU Medical’s SwabCap is a disposable cap designed for disinfecting needlefree connectors with 70% isopropyl alcohol when attaching them to an intravenous catheter.

“We look forward to working with ICU Medical on the SwabCap family of products and to exploring additional opportunities to improve patient safety. We see this as the starting point of a common journey to provide products that help clinicians eliminate infection risks associated with infusion therapy,” B. Braun management board member Dr. Meinrad Lugan said in a press release.

The new agreement will allow B. Braun to distribute the SwabCap to more than 30 countries outside the U.S., the companies said.

“We are extremely pleased for the opportunity to work with B. Braun. Both our companies have a shared mission and long history of developing breakthrough products to help improve outcomes in infusion therapy. Through this collaboration and B. Braun’s global channel strength, we will be able to get more products into the hands of more clinicians to positively impact more patients,” ICU Medical CEO Vivek Jain said in prepared remarks.

A recent study of the SwabCap indicated a $3.2 million savings in direct medical costs through the use of the device to prevent hospital-acquired blood stream infections and blood contaminations.