Leader in non-invasive monitoring technology,
Masimo
(
MASI
), announced that
PSS World Medical, Inc.
(
PSSI
), a medical supplies and equipment distributor to office-based
physicians in the U.S., will begin distribution of its latest
Pronto-7. The new Pronto-7 allows easy and fast spot-check of total
hemoglobin (SpHb), SpO2, pulse rate and perfusion index.
The palm-sized handheld device will be available to the domestic
customer base of PSS. This covers physicians, skilled nursing and
living facilities, home health care and hospice based agencies as
well as other alternate site health care providers across 50
states.
As per management at Masimo, PSS' reputation in innovative
medical technology will support the complete commercialization of
its non-invasive hemoglobin monitoring products in the U.S. The
distribution deal is expected to enhance consumer awareness of the
product. This is to be achieved by exploiting the market base as
well as customer management skills of the PSS sales team. The
distribution deal may also create new market opportunities for
Masimo.
Management at PSS is optimistic about its alliance with Masimo
as it believes in the company's ability to commercialize
breakthrough offerings. Given industry accolades such as 2011 GOLD
Medical Design Excellence Award, 2011 TechAmerica High Tech
Innovation Award and 2011 iF Product Design Award conferred on
Pronto-7, it also asserts that Pronto-7 marks an important keystone
in patient management towards improved standards of care.
The spot-check hemoglobin monitor measures hemoglobin count in
less than a minute without the need for needles. Its added
advantage over the traditional blood tests includes averting the
risk of blood contamination, medical waste and reduced patient
discomfort. A dimension size of 13 cm x 7.2 cm x 2.5 cm and weight
of 296 grams enables timely patient assessment. The immediate
method avoids the wait associated with laboratory results.
Masimo is a market leader in the pulse oximetry monitoring
equipment industry. The company's prospects are encouraging, given
the sizeable global market opportunity and adoption of pulse
oximetry in non-critical hospital test areas. It eliminates
barriers to entry due to features which include non-invasive
parameters.
General sales shipments have been growing at a steady rate
fueled by new contracts. However, the renewal of the royalty
agreement with
Covidien
(
COV
) provides little or no benefit due to lower rates. Further,
competition is intense and Masimo partly depends upon its OEM
partners for sales as well as royalty.
Masimo currently retains a Zacks #3 Rank, which translates into
a short-term Hold rating. This is in agreement with our long-term
"Neutral" recommendation.
COVIDIEN PLC (COV): Free Stock Analysis Report
MASIMO CORP (MASI): Free Stock Analysis Report
PSS WORLD MED (PSSI): Free Stock Analysis
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