Masimo Teams Up with PSS

Leader in non-invasive monitoring technology, Masimo ( MASI - Analyst Report ) , announced that PSS World Medical, Inc. ( ) , a medical supplies and equipment distributor to office-based physicians in the U.S., will begin distribution of its latest Pronto-7. The new Pronto-7 allows easy and fast spot-check of total hemoglobin (SpHb), SpO2, pulse rate and perfusion index.

The palm-sized handheld device will be available to the domestic customer base of PSS. This covers physicians, skilled nursing and living facilities, home health care and hospice based agencies as well as other alternate site health care providers across 50 states.

As per management at Masimo, PSS’ reputation in innovative medical technology will support the complete commercialization of its non-invasive hemoglobin monitoring products in the U.S. The distribution deal is expected to enhance consumer awareness of the product. This is to be achieved by exploiting the market base as well as customer management skills of the PSS sales team. The distribution deal may also create new market opportunities for Masimo.

Management at PSS is optimistic about its alliance with Masimo as it believes in the company’s ability to commercialize breakthrough offerings. Given industry accolades such as 2011 GOLD Medical Design Excellence Award, 2011 TechAmerica High Tech Innovation Award and 2011 iF Product Design Award conferred on Pronto-7, it also asserts that Pronto-7 marks an important keystone in patient management towards improved standards of care.

The spot-check hemoglobin monitor measures hemoglobin count in less than a minute without the need for needles. Its added advantage over the traditional blood tests includes averting the risk of blood contamination, medical waste and reduced patient discomfort. A dimension size of 13 cm x 7.2 cm x 2.5 cm and weight of 296 grams enables timely patient assessment. The immediate method avoids the wait associated with laboratory results.

Masimo is a market leader in the pulse oximetry monitoring equipment industry. The company’s prospects are encouraging, given the sizeable global market opportunity and adoption of pulse oximetry in non-critical hospital test areas. It eliminates barriers to entry due to features which include non-invasive parameters.

General sales shipments have been growing at a steady rate fueled by new contracts. However, the renewal of the royalty agreement with Covidien ( COV - Analyst Report ) provides little or no benefit due to lower rates. Further, competition is intense and Masimo partly depends upon its OEM partners for sales as well as royalty.

Masimo currently retains a Zacks #3 Rank, which translates into a short-term Hold rating. This is in agreement with our long-term "Neutral" recommendation.