RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif., Sept. 4, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ThermoGenesis Corp. (Nasdaq:KOOL), a leading supplier of enabling technologies for the processing, storage and administration of cell therapies, announced today a new integrated distribution agreement in Europe with Concessus for its cord blood products—the AXP® AutoXpress® (AXP) System and BioArchive® System.
The AXP System is a proprietary family of automated devices with companion sterile blood processing disposables for harvesting cord blood stem cells in closed systems and the BioArchive System is an automated robotic device for cryopreserving and archiving cord blood stem cell units for transplant.
Under the four-year agreement, Concessus will distribute both the AXP and BioArchive in the following countries: France, Spain, Switzerland, Benelux, Liechtenstein and Nordic countries (excluding Iceland). Concessus, which has been distributing the BioArchive since 2010, is a nearly 50-year-old Lisbon-based company that has been involved in the cord blood market for more than two decades. Concessus specializes in equipment for the healthcare diagnostic laboratory and research markets, with a strong focus on key markets in Western Europe.
GE Healthcare, which had been distributing the AXP in these markets, will continue to distribute the offering in the U.S. and Canada.
"This is an important development in our market expansion strategy as it represents a customer-centric approach that incorporates marketing, service and support for both of our cord blood products with one channel partner. We believe this agreement, in concert with our leading-edge technology, will not only strengthen our relationships with existing customers, but also enhance our competitive position in these important geographies," said Hal Baker, Head of Commercial Operations for ThermoGenesis.
"Representing the AXP now together with the BioArchive in Western Europe creates a meaningful competitive advantage for us in the cord blood market," said João Araújo, Chief Executive Officer of Concessus. "We are now the only organization in Western Europe offering fully automated cell processing and cell storage products and services for the cord blood market," he continued.
"This agreement illustrates our growing momentum in international cord blood markets, including the recent approvals for the AXP in Thailand and BioArchive in China," said Matthew Plavan, Chief Executive Officer of ThermoGenesis. "We are pleased to expand our partnership with Concessus, a proven leader in quality healthcare product distribution for Western Europe," he added.
About Concessus, S.A.
Concessus, S.A. has more than 20 years history in the blood banking field. The qualifications of our team and the continuous high quality support we provide our customers distinguishes Concessus from others who are acting in the same field of activity. We sell our equipment across Western Europe for a large variety of customers, blood banks, research institutes, universities and hospitals. Concessus is focused on providing quality solutions to the customers, that's why our policy is based on two goals – continuous improvement and customer care service.
About ThermoGenesis Corp.
ThermoGenesis Corp. (www.thermogenesis.com) is a leader in developing and manufacturing automated blood processing systems and disposable products that enable the manufacture, preservation and delivery of cell and tissue therapy products. These include:
- The BioArchive® System, an automated cryogenic device, used by cord blood stem cell banks in more than 30 countries for cryopreserving and archiving cord blood stem cell units for transplant.
- AXP® AutoXpress® Platform (AXP), a proprietary family of automated devices that includes the AXP and the MXP® MarrowXpress® and companion sterile blood processing disposables for harvesting stem cells in closed systems. The AXP device is used for the processing of cord blood. The MXP is used for the preparation of cell concentrates, including stem cells from bone marrow aspirates in the laboratory setting.
- The Res-Q® 60 BMC/PRP (Res-Q), a point-of-care system designed for the preparation of cell concentrates, including stem cells, from bone marrow aspirates and whole blood for platelet rich plasma (PRP).
The ThermoGenesis Corp. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=14120
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Several factors including timing of FDA and foreign regulatory approvals, changes in customer forecasts, our failure to meet customers' purchase order and quality requirements, supply shortages, production delays, changes in the markets for customers' products, introduction timing and acceptance of our new products scheduled for fiscal years 2012 and 2013, and introduction of competitive products and other factors beyond our control could result in a materially different revenue outcome and/or in our failure to achieve the revenue levels we expect for fiscal 2012 and 2013. A more complete description of these and other risks that could cause actual events to differ from the outcomes predicted by our forward-looking statements is set forth under the caption "Risk Factors" in our annual report on Form 10-K and other reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, and you should consider each of those factors when evaluating the forward-looking statements.