BD Launches BD MAX™ System in U.S. to Empower Laboratories and Clinicians to Respond to Emerging Diseases

BALTIMORE, May 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- BD Diagnostics, a segment of BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), today announced the U.S. launch of the BD MAX™ for use as an open system.

BD MAX is the first and only fully automated, bench-top molecular system designed to perform a broad range of molecular tests. This includes in vitro diagnostic (IVD) assays, but also user-defined protocols and life science research applications. The BD MAX System gives clinical laboratory professionals new ability to help their institutions respond to emerging threats, such as new strains of deadly drug-resistant bacteria or respiratory illnesses.

"Saving a patient's life often hinges upon clinicians' access to rapid, accurate and actionable diagnostic information, especially in the case of an emerging infectious disease," said Tom Polen, President of BD Diagnostics - Diagnostic Systems. "The BD MAX System empowers laboratories to provide this critical information by giving them the capability to automate and standardize their unique protocols on a state-of-the-art platform. We aim for the BD MAX System to become an indispensible tool in the laboratory that is equivalent to a smartphone."

According to Polen, BD intends a steady stream of announcements regarding agreements with best-in-class IVD assay developers to bring new tests to the BD MAX System for a broad range of disease categories. "When a lab expresses a need to detect a specific organism or emerging disease, we want the BD MAX System to be a solution," said Polen.

Earlier this month, BD announced the collaboration with Diagenode to develop seven initial assays for the BD MAX System. These assays will include a panel for diagnosing respiratory infections, two panels for diagnosing virus- and parasite-based gastrointestinal infections and a panel for differentially diagnosing meningitis.

The BD MAX System's open capability, full automation, standardized workflow and planned content-rich menu will enable laboratories to consolidate and standardize a broad range of molecular tests to build programs that meet both their current and future clinical needs.

For information about the new BD MAX System, please visit: 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 www.bd.com.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements (as defined under Federal securities laws) regarding BD's performance, including future product development. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "plan", "intend" or words of similar meaning in conjunction with statements of future performance. All such statements are based upon current expectations of BD and involve a number of business risks and uncertainties. Actual results could vary materially from anticipated results described, implied or projected in any forward-looking statement. With respect to forward-looking statements contained herein, a number of factors could cause actual results to vary materially from any forward-looking statement. These factors include, but are not limited to:  difficulties inherent in product development and delays in product introductions; the possibility that BD may not be able to enter into product development agreements on satisfactory terms; the unknown consequences of the recently-enacted healthcare reform in the United States, including potential reduced demand for BD's products; adverse changes in regional, national or foreign economic conditions, including any impact that may result from the current global economic situation on BD's ability to access credit markets and finance its operations, the demand for BD's products and services, or its suppliers' ability to provide products needed for BD's operations; competitive factors; pricing and market share pressures; increases in energy costs and their effect on, among other things, the cost of producing BD's products; fluctuations in costs and availability of raw materials and in BD's ability to maintain favorable supplier arrangements and relationships; new or changing laws impacting BD's business or changes in enforcement practices with respect to such laws; and future healthcare reform, including changes in government pricing and reimbursement policies or other cost containment reforms. BD does not intend to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof except as required by applicable laws or regulations.

Contact:
Jeff Ezell
Public Relations
(201) 847-5533
[email protected]

SOURCE BD-Becton Dickinson