Latest News

Strategic Review of Sales and Distribution Channels

August 20th, 2010

Uscom today announced a strategic review of sales and distribution channels with a view to strengthening global sales coverage and identifying new distribution partners across world markets to complement or replace current sales and distribution capability.

The review process will be co-ordinated by Deb Johnson, Uscom’s Seattle based VP Marketing and Global Distribution. In addition, Uscom has appointed two specialist US consultants as advisers to assist it in relation to the process.

Mr Rob Phillips, the Uscom Executive Chairman and acting CEO said “It has been a difficult two years for emerging medical device markets with the global financial crisis and US Healthcare reforms having changed the sales environment for hospital capital asset purchases dramatically. However we are intent on responding to this changed environment and improving our current sales performance by identifying new distribution opportunities which will more efficiently deliver USCOM to the health care providers. It is possible that a more regional approach may be more effective and deliver better results in our target markets. We now have outstanding scientific evidence confirming clinical utility and a growing installed base, so the marketing process is now firmly focused on the establishment of performance centered distribution channels. The specialist appointments are designed to accelerate and make more efficient this process.”

The outcome of the review will be to better respond to the uncertain nature of target markets particularly in the US, mixed sales and distribution performance and to deal with the expected expiry of the Spacelabs exclusive distribution agreement for the in hospital sector on the 13th December 2010. It is envisaged that, as part of the review, new product co-development partners will be identified to seek to accelerate penetration of new markets via co-development of novel Uscom technology and products. Currently USCOM global sales & distribution capabilities are predominantly divided between Spacelabs Healthcare and Pacific Medical Systems and this review is to determine where and how additional sales & distribution capability may be deployed to improve sales performance in these markets.

New US Patent for Uscom

April 27th, 2010

Uscom today announced the notice of issuance of a new patent by the U.S. Patent office covering the USCOM algorithm. The USCOM algorithm is a method which allows the pulmonary valve diameter to be calculated from the subject height. The US patent recognises the novelty of the science and affords competitive protection for a period of 20yrs in the US jurisdiction; the largest medical device market in the world.

The algorithm, which has now been extensively validated as an integral component of the USCOM device, may have additional commercial application in cardiac surgery and general ultrasound.

This granting takes to a total of 20 the number of patents held in various jurisdictions by Uscom Ltd, with 17 additional patent applications currently in process. These patents are central to possible new products and product developments and will protect the commercial opportunity of the Uscom product pipeline.

Mr Rob Phillips, Executive Chairman and Director of Clinical Science said “Patents represent a fundamental commercial value to Uscom and the protection they provide underwrites new product developments. These patents will support development of a new generation of monitoring devices with real value in the competitive monitoring market. This is further confirmation of the creative and innovative culture within our Company.”

Canadian Regulatory Approval for USCOM

April 6th, 2010

Uscom today announced that it has received a Medical Device Licence for USCOM in Canada by the Medical Devices Bureau of Health Canada. This licence is a requirement for USCOM sales in Canada.

This now completes the USCOM worldwide regulatory approval programme which allows USCOM sales into the major world markets including US, China and Europe. Uscom’s marketing partner, Spacelabs, is responsible for the Canadian market and can now initiate Canadian sales activities.

USCOM has been used in research activities in Canada and was evaluated by Canadian physicians at international meetings.

Rob Phillips, the Executive Chairman of Uscom and Director of Clinical Science said “Canada is a sophisticated and significant medical device market which has shown considerable interest in our technology, and this approval will allow Spacelabs to activate the regional sales process to take advantage of this interest. Additionally this approval now means we have regulatory access to the world’s major medical device markets, supporting the activities of our global marketing partners Spacelabs and Pacific Medical Systems.”