Haemonetics Announces Agreement to License Alba Blood Typing Reagents

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Mar 18, 2010, 05:00 ET

BRAINTREE, Mass., March 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Haemonetics Corporation (NYSE: HAE), a global blood management solutions company, today announced that it has entered into a reagent development and supply agreement with Quotient Biodiagnostics Group and its wholly owned subsidiary Alba Bioscience Limited. This arrangement provides Haemonetics with exclusive access to Alba's comprehensive catalogue of approved reagents for use in connection with the commercialization of its Arryx laser based blood typing platform. The arrangement includes future milestone payments in connection with the optimization of reagents for use in the Arryx system. Access to the reagents for commercialization is provided through a perpetual license.

Brian Concannon, Haemonetics' President and CEO, said, "Blood typing represents a future $1 billion market opportunity for Haemonetics through the ongoing development of our Arryx technology. I am pleased to report this important milestone in our innovative nano-technology development program targeted at the blood diagnostics market. We look forward to updating our shareholders on our progress with Arryx at our upcoming investor day scheduled for May 13th."

Paul Cowan, Chairman of Quotient Biodiagnostics, said, "We are pleased to be working with Haemonetics on this exciting new technology platform for the transfusion diagnostics market. Alba's portfolio of world-leading blood typing reagents will no doubt serve to facilitate and accelerate the development of the Arryx platform for Haemonetics."

Haemonetics (NYSE: HAE) is a global healthcare company dedicated to providing innovative blood management solutions for our customers. Together, our devices and consumables, information technology platforms, and consulting services deliver a suite of business solutions to help our customers improve clinical outcomes and reduce the cost of healthcare for blood collectors, hospitals, and patients around the world. Our technologies address important medical markets: blood and plasma component collection, the surgical suite, and hospital transfusion services. To learn more about Haemonetics, visit our web site at http://www.haemonetics.com.

Alba Bioscience is a world leader in the manufacture and sale of critical raw materials and finished goods used for blood typing and screening. Working in partnership with many of the world's leading companies selling finished goods and automation solutions into the blood-typing and screening market worldwide, Alba Bioscience has built a reputation for leading-edge product development and continuity of supply. With over 15 products already licensed by the FDA (and further products in registration), Alba Bioscience is a leading independent supplier of FDA-licensed reagents and finished goods in the key North American market.