Becton Dickinson & Co. (NYSE:BDX) signed a definitive agreement to acquire Safety Syringes, maker of anti-needlestick devices for pre-filled syringes.
The merger, the terms of which were not disclosed, should close by the end of fiscal 2012, according to a press release.
Becton aims to boost its passive safety offerings with Safety Syringes’ needle shields and guards, which are currently offered for prefilled syringes with more than 20 drugs, according to a press release.
"This pending acquisition is well aligned to BD’s strategy of applying technology and clinical knowledge to make healthcare more effective, efficient and safe," executive vice president William Kozy said in prepared remarks. "This acquisition is intended to provide our BD Medical – pharmaceutical systems unit with additional safety features for prefillable syringes, helping to protect against accidental needlesticks by providing safer injections for healthcare workers and end users."
Becton expects the transaction to be minimally dilutive for fiscal 2012 without impacting previous guidance.
Earlier this year BD raised its full-year sales guidance from flat to between 1% and 2% and boosted its diluted EPS forecast from $5.60-$5.70 to $5.68-$5.73. The company also said it plans to repurchase $1.5 billion worth of its own stock during 2012.
