Becton Dickinson ($BDX), long a maker of diagnostics medical instruments and reagents, has officially entered the prefilled injectable drug business.
New Jersey-based BD gained FDA approval for the first drug in its new BD Simplist line of prefilled injectable drugs--an injectable antihistamine. BD says it has invested in this advance by building a "state of the art manufacturing facility" that blends the company's manufacturing abilities for drug delivery devices such as prefilled syringes with drug formulation. Plans call for debuting as many as 30 new generic injectable drugs in this format over the next few years.
Becton Dickinson is focusing on growing its injectable business. Late last year it closed an acquisition of California's Safety Syringes, a maker of devices meant to give prefillable syringes a safety guard that automatically locks into place to prevent injury. The deal, the financial terms of which were not disclosed, gives the company more options to expand its prefilled syringes business.
Why prefilled syringes, you might ask? Well, the company said it sees its new line as building for a new growth area--simpler prefilled syringes that are more efficient and safer, with fewer steps and a move away from injection preparation.
Becton Dickinson started its fiscal 2013 third quarter with a solid increase in revenue, booking $1.9 million, up 3.7% from $1.8 billion booked over the same period a year ago. BD has expanded internationally as well and continues to see steady growth in its diagnostics arm and diabetes products revenue.
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