Cell Kinetics Signs Distribution Agreement with Rikaken Co., Ltd. Japan
NEW YORK–Cell Kinetics Ltd. (OTCBB: CKNTF – News), announced today that it has signed with Rikaken Co., Ltd. an exclusive distribution agreement for the marketing and distribution of Cell Kinetics’ “CKChip™” in Japan.
“This is a significant moment for Cell Kinetics. This distribution agreement with Rikaken reflects the first step in our commercialization plans to enter into strategic distribution agreements for our CKChip with first class partners in key markets such as Japan, Europe and of course the US. We are proud that a leading Japanese distributor of medical laboratory equipment has decided to market our innovative product to the Japanese market,” said Dr. Asaf Ben-Arye, Cell Kinetics’ President and CEO.
The President of Rikaken Co., Ltd., Mr. Yoshio Morikawa said, “The CKChip is a unique new technology for single cell research, in particular for acquisition of kinetic data, and we believe that the CKChip has various research and, ultimately, clinical applications. This contract with Cell Kinetics Ltd. adds an important dimension to our management strategy, and we are very excited to be able to provide this new product offering to our established customer base, as well as see this as allowing us to expand that base even further. We expect a long-term mutually beneficial collaborative relationship for both companies.”
Cell Kinetics an indirect majority-owned subsidiary of Medis Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: MDTL – News) is developing and will market a series of products, based on its Cell Carrier technology, under the “CKChip™” trade name. The CKChip can accommodate up to 10,000 cells on individual wells for measuring reactions of living cells in a static state over time, using simple imaging methods such as fluorescence microscopy. Cell Kinetics has also invested in an early stage Israeli-based medical device company and intends to continue to source, vet and invest in early stage Israeli-based medical device technologies.
Rikaken Co. is distributor of lab equipment and chemicals operating in the field for over 30 years. The company employees 222 sales and administration staff, responsible for the distribution of general chemicals and reagents, lab disposables, clinical test equipment, lab instruments, and clinical test equipment. Rikaken’s revenues in 2006 were 15 billion Yen and prospects for 2007 were 16.8 billion Yen.
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