SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Critical Diagnostics, a U.S.-based biomarker company focused on cardiovascular diseases, today announced the appointment of three distributors in China, Korea and Indonesia for its Presage ST2 Assay. The company further stated that it anticipates adding several more Asia Pacific distributors in the coming months.
"The Asia Pacific region is an essential component in our overall business strategy to develop a worldwide presence for our Presage ST2 Assay,” says David Geliebter, Chairman of Critical Diagnostics. “We see tremendous potential for growth in that part of the world. Teaming up with highly-regarded local partners is key to that approach.”
The Presage ST2 Assay quantitatively measures the level of ST2 in blood. ST2 has been shown to be a significant predictor of mortality as well as all-cause hospitalization, mortality due to cardiovascular disease, and hospitalization due to cardiovascular disease. ST2 is prognostic for clinically important outcomes in addition to all-cause mortality. Levels of ST2 are independent and complimentary to natriuretic peptide markers and not adversely affected by such confounding factors as age, gender, body mass index and impaired renal function.
Critical Diagnostics has chosen Everbest, a division of RIPI Group, as exclusive distributor in the Peoples Republic of China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan. RIPI Group specializes in the IVD market. RIPI Group’s major business partners include Ortho Clinical Diagnostics (a division of Johnson & Johnson, USA), as well as several Asia Pacific-based medical companies. Headquartered in Shanghai, Everbest also has offices in Hong Kong, Beijing and Taipei.
Jinbiotech has been selected to act as exclusive distributor in the Republic of Korea. The company has long-term relationships with leaders in the cardiology community. Based in Nowon, South Korea, Jinbiotech was established in 2001 by founder and President, Charlie Song, who has over 25 years of experience in the IVD industry in Korea. Mr. Song was formerly President for Baxter Korean Inc.
In Indonesia, Critical Diagnostics has designated Tri Surya Medika as its exclusive distributor. The principals of Tri Surya Medika are highly experienced in the IVD market and have worked with such companies as Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics, Tecan, Echosens, Alere, and ICU Medical. Headquartered in Jakarta, Tri Surya Medika has eight regional offices and more than 30 strategic sub-distributor partners.
“We’re very pleased to be partnering with these three fine organizations,” notes James Snider, President of Critical Diagnostics. “They bring a wealth of experience and contacts in their respective markets, and we look forward to many years of active cooperation.”
Overseeing Asia Pacific sales for the company will be John A. Butterfield, Vice President for Business Development, Asia Pacific. Prior to joining Critical Diagnostics John spent over 10 years in commercial business development of clinical biomarkers in the region, most recently representing Alere, formerly Inverness Medical, as the Director of Clinical Cardiovascular/Renal Asia Pacific. John holds a B.App.Sc (Honours) in Sport and Exercise Science from University of Western Sydney, also, MBA from La Trobe University in Melbourne, and is currently researching cardiovascular biomarkers in cardiac disease patients at the University of Western Sydney’s Ph.D. program.
About Critical Diagnostics and ST2
Critical Diagnostics (www.criticaldiagnostics.com) develops novel biomarkers to help physicians optimize patient care in cardiovascular diseases, while containing healthcare costs. The Presage® ST2 Assay has been CE Marked and cleared by the US FDA. Critical Diagnostics has exclusive worldwide rights to ST2 for the diagnosis and prognosis of cardiovascular disease.