Shimadzu expands mammography efforts

Shimadzu Medical Systems officially moved into the global mammography market at the RSNA show when it signed a nonexclusive distribution and marketing agreement with Planmed. According to terms of the deal, Wood Dale, IL-based Planmed’s Sophie and Sophie Classic product line will be sold worldwide under Shimadzu’s own name. The agreement expands a partnership established in 1995 between Planmed and Shimadzu Corporation, which allows Shimadzu to market Planmed’s mammography products in Japan under the trade name Sepio. The new agreement extends Shimadzu’s distribution of Planmed mammography products to North and South America, Europe, and Australia.

The deal allows Shimadzu to fill out its product portfolio and target larger strategic accounts such as group purchasing and veterans organizations and hospital networks, according to Don Karle, director of sales and marketing for North America. The Torrance, CA-based firm plans to sell between 30 and 50 mammography units in 2000, Karle said.