Digirad signs distribution deal with NIR

Digital gamma camera developer Digirad of San Diego announced this month that it has signed a distribution and service agreement with National Imaging Resources for its Digirad 2020 TC Imager. Birmingham, AL-based NIR will gain U.S. distribution rights to the system, which uses solid-state detectors made from cadmium zinc telluride.

The agreement gives Digirad access to a strong sales structure it has not had before: NIR boasts 190 sales representatives, a 400-member service organization, and a regional network consisting of more than 50 locations. But NIR also expects to benefit from the deal, gaining access to the nuclear medicine market. NIR reports annual sales of more than $500 million.

The deal further strengthens Digirad's market position, especially in light of patents the company received last month that cover a method of manufacturing solid-state digital detector modules (SCAN 10/28/98). Digirad 2020 TC Imager was cleared by the Food and Drug Administration in June 1997 (SCAN 6/11/97).