Devine Device Companies

Devine Device Companies

Courtesy of Pharmboy at Phil’s Stock World 

Health care equipment sub-industry for the next 12 months is neutral according to the S&P reports.  The core product categories are historically recession-resistant and will continue to grow regardless of still restrictive credit market conditions that may ultimately affect spending decisions at the hospital customer base.  However, there is concern about hospital capital equipment spending amid tight credit market conditions and stressed municipal and state budgets, and there is mounting evidence of slowing demand for elective medical procedures and reduced procedure rates in areas that are not normally viewed as elective, such as interventional cardiology and orthopedics.  The risks presented by proposed health care reform legislation have dissipated, as the Democrats no longer have a filibuster-proof supermajority, thereby sharply reducing the chances of the legislation passing or having a more detrimental impact on the sector.  Estimated 2010 and 2011 revenues should rise at a mid-single-digit pace, reflecting modest foreign currency tailwinds in 2010 (which could reverse if sovereign debt concerns worsen), extended equipment replacement cycles at the hospital and outpatient clinic customer base, more restrictive pricing, and lower demand across several important product categories. 

With that information in mind, I turn now to two companies that should see growth in the coming years, albeit with a few hiccups along the way.

Meridian Bioscience, Inc. (VIVO) operates as an integrated life science company as it engages in the development, manufacture, sale, and distribution of diagnostic test kits primarily for respiratory, gastrointestinal, viral, and parasitic infectious diseases.  Its diagnostic test kits utilize immunodiagnostic technologies, which test samples of blood, urine, stool, and other body fluids or tissues for the presence of antigens and antibodies of specific infectious diseases.  The company also provides transport media that store and preserve specimen samples from patient collection to laboratory testing.  In addition, Meridian Bioscience manufactures and distributes bulk antigens, antibodies, and reagents used by researchers and other diagnostic manufacturers (this would be for companies like Life Technologies (LIFE) or Becton, Dickinson and Company (BDX) who sell reagents to pharmaceutical companies).  Further, it involves in the contract development and manufacture of proteins and other biologicals for use by biopharmaceutical and biotechnology companies engaged in research for new drugs and vaccines (Potenitally JNJ, Roche, etc who need bulk reagents for their clinical trials).  Meridian Bioscience markets its diagnostic test kits through direct sales force and independent distributors to reference laboratories and hospitals…

Read the original story at Phil’s Stock World