Manufacturer NewsWire

Noteworthy

United Seating and Mobility Launches Web Site: United Seating and Mobility of Florissant, Mo., has launched a Web site designed to provide “practical information for referral sources and consumers about assistive technology,” in addition to general information about the company. While visiting www.unitedseating.com people also may sign up for the company’s electronic newsletter, USM E-News.

McKesson Expands Disease Management Offerings: Broomfield, Colo.-based McKesson Health Solutions, a business unit of San Francisco-based McKesson, in May will launch its CareEnhance COPD disease-management product.

The program, designed for health plan members who suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, uses education modules, taught over the telephone by registered nurses, to teach health plan members the benefits of stopping smoking and to encourage members to take medication prescribed to treat the disease.

“A disease management program can have a positive effect on people suffering from COPD. Our DM [disease management] service can help health plan members lead a more fulfilling, active life free from many of the physical restraints caused by the disease,” said Sandeep Wadhwa, vice president of Disease Management, CareEnhance Services at McKesson.

Agreements

Home Diagnostics Forms International Distribution Partnership: Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.-based Home Diagnostics, which manufactures blood glucose monitoring systems, has formed an international distribution partnership Sola, Sweden-based MEDA, a specialty pharmaceutical company. Under the terms of the partnership, both companies will supply the Prestige IQ system and Prestige Smart System blood glucose test strips in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Mergers & Acquisitions

Respironics Acquires BiliChek from SpectRx: Pittsburgh-based Respironics has purchased Norcross, Ga.-based SpectRx’s BiliChek line of non-invasive bilirubin analyzer products, for $4 million. Under the terms of the deal, Respironics will pay an additional $1 million when current product-development work is complete. Additionally, Respironics could pay up to $6.25 million in royalties during the next five years, depending on operating results.

Proceeds from the sale will fund SpectRx’s diabetes and cancer-detection businesses, SpectRx said. Until now, Respironics was the exclusive U.S. licensee and distributor of BiliChek.

Financials

CareCentric Reports Annual Results: For the year ended Dec. 31, 2002, Atlanta-based CareCentric reported a net loss of $174,000, or a loss of 4 cents per share, compared to a net loss of $25.39 million, or 5.94 cents per share, in 2001. Net revenue for 2002 was $22 million, compared to $20 million in 2001.

“It is our intent to continue to aggressively reinvest the company’s cash flow into product enhancements, including electronic billing modules, point-of-care based products and the development of new-generation product platforms,” said John Festa, president and chief executive officer.

For breaking news, go to www.homecaremonday.com, the electronic news service of the home medical equipment industry.