Singapore: Vancive Medical Technologies and CareFusion inked an exclusive agreement in the US, Canada and Mexico for the licensing and distribution of Vancive's BeneHold Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) antimicrobial Adhesive Technology for applications in vascular access. BeneHold is a trademark of Avery Dennison and ChloraShield is a trademark of CareFusion.

Under the agreement, CareFusion will market Vancive's unique antimicrobial adhesive technology used with transparent dressings that are ideally suited for protection of catheter insertion sites. The first product received 510(k) clearance from the US FDA in September 2012 and will be co-branded under CareFusion's new ChloraShield brand.

CareFusion and Vancive are working together to develop a comprehensive line of dressing products that incorporate the BeneHold CHG antimicrobial Adhesive Technology to meet the specific needs associated with many types of vascular access procedures. CareFusion expects to commercialize these offerings during the company's fiscal third quarter, which begins in April.

"We are excited about this collaboration, and believe it is an excellent opportunity to combine the unique capabilities of each company," said Mr Howard Kelly, president and general manager of Vancive Medical Technologies. "By bringing together the considerable infection prevention expertise at CareFusion and Vancive's cutting-edge technologies, we will provide innovative solutions to the vascular access market."

"The collaboration with Vancive Medical Technologies and the new ChloraShield line of dressings are a perfect fit with our leadership in CHG products," said Mr Jim Leitl, senior vice president and general manager of Medical Specialties at CareFusion. "These innovative vascular access dressings extend our clinically differentiated infection prevention and vascular access product portfolios, allowing us to create greater value for our customers."