Crawford Healthcare deal boosts US penetration

CRAWFORD Healthcare, the Cheshire woundcare and dermatology treatments supplier, has agreed a deal to strengthen its position in North America.

It has acquired the rights to sell advanced woundcare products into the US markets after a deal with Canada’s Exciton Technologies

The Knutsford company has signed a long-term partnership agreement with Exciton Technologies,  to exclusively licence its patented Exsalt anti-microbial woundcare technology.

The agreement sees Crawford  take over the existing Exciton operations in the US, including its salesforce, a move that complements Crawford’s own recently opened US entity.

The healthcare supplier has also secured the initial rights for most of Europe, Russia and CIS along with other territories, with the option to gain worldwide rights.

Crawford chief executive Richard Anderson said: ““The agreement with Exciton further expands the Crawford Healthcare portfolio. The Exsalt products are perfect additions to our current operation and give us further scope to operate in the burns category. We plan to extend the use of this technology in the woundcare category.

“Crawford has taken steps to enter the US market with a number of products in woundcare and pressure Relief. This agreement with Exciton will allow us to accelerate our plans in the US and build a much larger salesforce presence.

“Our UK sales are growing strongly and our International expansion is gaining momentum with between 10-14 new territories opening up in 2013.”

This Exciton is the 10th acquisition or licencing deal Crawford has done since 2011.