Abaxis Announces Distribution Agreement With Henry Schein for
U.S. Veterinary Market Coverage
UNION CITY, Calif., April 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Abaxis, Inc. , a
medical products company manufacturing point-of-care blood analysis systems,
announced today that it has signed an agreement with Henry Schein, Inc. to
sell and distribute the Abaxis VetScan Chemistry and Hematology Systems, along
with the associated consumable merchandise. Henry Schein's Veterinary division
serves over 70% of the estimated 24,000 U.S. Veterinary clinics.
"In line with our growth strategy, we are pleased to add Henry Schein to our
family of valued distributors," stated Clint Severson, Chairman and CEO of
Abaxis. "This addition helps us achieve our goal of increasing U.S. market
coverage." ABAXIS develops, manufactures and markets portable blood analysis systems for
use in any patient-care setting to provide clinicians with rapid blood
constituent measurements. The system consists of a compact, 6.9 kilogram,
portable analyzer and a series of 8-cm diameter single-use plastic disks,
called rotors or reagent discs that contain all the reagents necessary to
perform a fixed menu of tests. The system can be operated with minimal training
and perform multiple tests on whole blood using either venous or fingerstick
samples. The system provides test results in less than 14 minutes with the
precision and accuracy equivalent to a clinical laboratory.
Henry Schein, Inc. is the largest distributor of healthcare products and
services to office-based practitioners in the combined North American and
European markets. Recognized for its excellent customer service and low
prices, the Company's four business groups -- Dental, Medical, International
and Technology -- serve more than 425,000 customers worldwide, including dental
practices and laboratories, physician practices and veterinary clinics, as well
as government and other institutions. The Company's sales reached a record $3.4
billion in 2003.
This press release includes statements that constitute "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995. ABAXIS claims the protection of the safe-harbor for forward-looking
statements contained in the Reform Act. Specific forward-looking statements
contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, risks and
uncertainties related to the market acceptance of the Company's products and
the continuing development of its products, risks associated with manufacturing
and distributing its products on a commercial scale, risks associated with
entering the human diagnostic market on a larger scale, risks involved in
carrying of inventory, risks from unexpected problems or delays in the
Company's manufacturing facility, risks associated with the ability to attract
and retain competent sales personnel, general market conditions, competition,
risks and uncertainties related to its ability to raise capital in order to
fund its operations and other risks detailed from time to time in ABAXIS'
periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange
Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statement
was made. ABAXIS does not undertake and specifically disclaims any obligation
to update any forward-looking statements. DATASOURCE: Abaxis, Inc.
CONTACT: Clint Severson, Chief Executive Officer of Abaxis, Inc., +1-510-675-6500; or Retail, Joe Dorame, or Institutional/Analysts, Joe Diaz, both of RCG Capital Markets Group, +1-480-675-0400, for Abaxis, Inc.
Web site: http://www.abaxis.com/
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