Safety Huber Needle Market Expanding

Bountiful, UT - Specialized Health Products International, Inc. announced that it has initiated its U.S. market launch of MiniLoc(TM) Safety Infusion Set. The MiniLoc(TM) product line, which includes 29 SKUs in a variety of needle gauges, lengths, and product configurations, will compete in the estimated $60 million U.S. Huber needle market.

MiniLoc(TM) Safety Infusion Set is SHPI's second entry into the growing safety Huber needle market. The Company's first safety Huber needle product, LiftLoc(R) Safety Infusion Set, has been marketed in the U.S. since 2002 and has emerged as one of the leading safety products in the field. While both product lines incorporate a Huber type needle with an integral safety needle device, MiniLoc(TM) Safety Infusion Set is based upon a new proprietary technology that enables state-of the-art protection in an ultra-low profile device. MiniLoc(TM)'s small footprint, needle forward design and enhanced angled tubing make the product easy to dress, facilitate placement in dual lumen ports, and provide excellent site visibility. The product's proprietary design enables controlled, easy engagement of the safety mechanism. MiniLoc(TM) has a smooth comfortable base that is designed for patient comfort, as well as specially lubricated needles that significantly reduce needle penetration force.

"We expect MiniLoc(TM) to be an important contributor to our top and bottom line growth, as we expand our safety Huber needle portfolio with what we believe is a best-in-class product and leverage the manufacturing and sales and marketing infrastructure we have established for LiftLoc(R)," commented Jeff Soinski, President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are marketing MiniLoc(TM) under our own SHPI-brand through our existing U.S. distribution channels consisting of leading national distributors with a strong presence in the oncology and chronic hematology markets, the primary users of Huber needles. Together our distributors have well over 2000 sales representatives calling on acute care, home care, physician offices, oncology and hematology centers, and other alternate site locations. Their efforts will be supported by our own field sales force, customer service and outbound telemarketing professionals."

Huber needles are used to access surgically implanted, subcutaneous ports for vascular access on a repeated basis over an extended period of time. As such, they are hollow-bore and potentially blood-filled at the time of removal, with a significant need for an effective safety solution. A primary use of Huber needles is the infusion of chemotherapeutic agents for cancer patients.

SOURCE: Specialized Health Products International, Inc.