Tuesday 1st June 2010
Leading medical devices company Kimal has introduced a solution for patients who need to take nutrition via IV lines but want to retain mobility. The Kimal IVantage™ ambulatory infusion pump is available to the company’s core markets in Europe and the Middle East via Kimal Medical Systems, a new subsidiary of Kimal Plc.
Alan Press, Chief Executive of Kimal, says: “Kimal purchased the intellectual property, manufacturing assets and inventory of the Kimal IVantage™ infusion pump from Delphi Medical Systems in the USA. The IVantage infusion pump is an original product developed by Debiotech SA, a Swiss company active in highly innovative medical systems and devices. We are pleased to be able to add the IVantage™ infusion pump to the portfolio of products and consumables which are chosen by clinicians around the world because of their added-value.”
The Kimal IVantage™ infusion system offers a number of key patient benefits, including:
Kimal Corporate Marketing Manager, Ken Findlay explains: “The IVantage™ infusion pump is an ambulatory system, so the patient can walk around as normal while still receiving total parenteral nutrition, for example.
“The pump, which measures a mere 14cm wide by 6cm high, is designed to answer patient and clinician criticisms that, traditionally, infusion pumps took up too much space. Our initial market research shows the Kimal IVantage™ infusion system’s patient-friendly portable design, will be very attractive to both patient groups and clinicians.”
The Kimal IVantage™ infusion system can be programmed for use in a range of therapies including continuous infusion, intermittent dosing, total parenteral nutrition and patient-controlled analgesia.
Carolyn Wheatley, Chair of PINNT, (Patients on Intravenous and Naso-gastric Nutrition Therapy) says: “Our members have to rely on liquid nutrients being infused intravenously via a central venous catheter. The IVantage™ infusion system offers further choice to the market in relation to the equipment used to deliver their therapy. An ambulatory feeding system provides a greater level of freedom allowing the patient to determine how and when they feed.
“The Kimal IVantage™ offers the prospect of a lifestyle choice. Most people take for granted walking the children to school or taking them to the park, shopping, going to the cinema and so on. PINNT congratulate Kimal on making available another product with clear and relevant patient benefits.
Frederic Neftel MD, President & CEO of Debiotech SA, comments: “We are extremely pleased to see Kimal taking over the IVantage product. We have developed the IVantage to serve the community of ambulatory care patients who deserve the best quality of life that technology can offer, while ensuring the highest level of safety and efficacy.
“We look forward to a fruitful partnership with Kimal, a company which has built its reputation over more than 40 years by placing its customers’ satisfaction at the top of its priorities.”
Mark Pettitt, Managing Director Kimal Plc, concludes: “We are excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with Debiotech, who have an excellent history of developing highly innovative medical devices for therapeutic and diagnostic purpose. The IVantage has brought our two companies together and we look forward to exploring further advances in medical technology that can improve patients’ lives.”
The Kimal IVantage™ is on the NHS Supply Chain National Contract titled “Supply of Infusion Pumps”(ref: 2009/S 183-263581) and is available now.
Anyone seeking further information about the Kimal IVantage™ infusion system should visit www.kimal.co.uk or contact Ken Findlay on 07977 250427.
Friday 5th February 2010
Leading medical devices company Kimal stepped further into the limelight at this year’s Arab Health when it was honoured to have Professor, the Lord Darzi of Denham unveiling the innovative NxStage System One™ Home Haemodialysis machine on the Kimal stand during day one of the exhibition.
Visitors from countries throughout the Middle East and further afield attended the show and Kimal’s stand was busy over the four days, receiving hundreds of enquiries for the NxStage System One™. This home haemodialysis machine, which is only 17 inches high and 17 inches wide, is being introduced into the Middle East on a targeted basis by UK-based Kimal. The company is initially focussing on two key areas in the region, namely Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Kimal is keen to ensure that these areas are fully covered and benefit from excellent practical and clinical support before extending further in the region, possibly in early 2011.
The unveiling ceremony took centre stage on the company’s stand in the main concourse of the Dubai World Trade Centre, with speeches from Lord Darzi and Alan Press, Chief Executive of Kimal. Also in attendance was Dubai Consulate General, Guy Warrington KBM, while in the audience were other members of Kimal, senior clinicians and representatives of MediLink UK, the ABHI and UKTI.
Media interest was significant with the ceremony being filmed by Middle Eastern based TV, and photo interviews taking place with a wide range of Middle Eastern based medical journals and locally based media including ‘Gulf News’ and ‘Emirates News’.
The following day, Alan Press was honoured to receive the MediLinkWM ‘Export Achievement of the Year Award’ from Ms Terri D’Elia, the Arab Health Exhibition Director. Alan then received another two awards for Kimal, from ‘Middle East Hospital’ medical journal - ‘Middle East Exporter of the Year’ and ‘Most Innovative Product’ (for NxStage) – which were presented by Lord Darzi.
“It is a great honour to have the NxStage System One™ selected for this award, particularly given the impressive competition,” commented Joseph Turk, Senior VICE President, Commercial Operations of NxStage Medical, Inc.
“This recognition underscores the positive role innovative and life-changing technology like the System One can play in addressing the clinical and economic challenges of delivering effective dialysis therapy to patients around the world.”
Commenting on the event itself, Corporate Marketing Manager, Ken Findlay stated “This year’s show has been fantastic for Kimal. We specifically designed an eye catching stand in a prime location to promote NxStage as well as Kimal and it definitely paid off, with the stand team being inundated with enquiries for all four days. It was a major honour for Kimal that Lord Darzi unveiled NxStage for us and then to receive three major awards during the week was brilliant.
“Such has been the success of the show that we have already booked the same position for 2011. We look forward to welcoming visitors on our stand next year to show how our strategy of providing relevant and ground breaking innovations to target markets helps to improve patient lives and experiences.”
Kimal CEO Alan Press said “It is notable that we have received such recognition in this, our 30th year of trading in the Middle Eastern region. A lot of hard work has been put in by many people over the years for us to succeed here and I am sure that this superb effort will continue successfully in the years to come.”
Thursday 2nd July 2009
An exciting innovation, which is expected to transform the lives of an estimated 20,000 dialysis patients in Britain, will be demonstrated to patients by a NHS hospital.
The Lister Hospital in Stevenage, part of East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, is the first hospital in the UK to take delivery of the NxStage home haemodialysis machines and it will unveil them to patients on Thursday 2nd July.
Nephrologist, Dr Roger Greenwood, explains: “We are inviting patients to try the NxStage units for themselves on the 2nd and receive training on how to use them. It is our intention then that patients will subsequently be able to take them home.
“We have created an environment reminiscent of a home setting so patients can understand for themselves just how compact and patient-friendly the unit is. This is pertinent when one considers the historical image conjured up by home haemodialysis of Portakabins in the back garden to cater for the sheer size of the hardware and the amount of medical consumables required.”
Only 1.1% of haemodialysis patients currently treat themselves at home. Home haemodialysis is significantly more cost-effective for the NHS than treatment in a hospital or clinic.
It has been predicted that the number of patients requiring dialysis will reach 40,000 by 2018. Factors behind this rise include the ageing population, increase in obesity and lack of donor organs. One should also remember that a transplanted kidney may only have a life of between five and twelve years, depending on the impact of the post-transplant anti-rejection medication.
The Government would like / has a target of 15% of current patients to dialyse at home. This is driven by resource and patient benefits:
o Less disruption to patient’s normal life
o Freeing up of NHS beds and medical staff
o Not having to build additional infrastructure to cope with increase in number of patients requiring dialysis
o No travelling to and from hospital/clinic with consequent journey stress
o Ability for patient to dialyse at convenient time in familiar environment, with family while watching TV if wished
o Home haemodialysis allows for increase in frequency of treatment; typically 3 times per week in clinic but home haemodialysis allows for every day, fewer hours
o Home haemodialysis also offers the option of overnight treatment. Daily treatments and especially overnight are recognised to provide the following benefits.
o Better energy levels following treatment
o Reduced stress on the cardio-vascular system
o Reduced need for blood medications
Leading British healthcare company, Kimal plc was sought out by American company NxStage to be a partner in making the compact home haemodialysis unit available in the UK under an exclusive distribution agreement.
Ken Findlay, Kimal’s Corporate Marketing Manager, said: “The NxStage offering is based upon the Government’s agenda for both ‘Patient Choice’ and treatment in the home. The first tranche of units have been ordered by the Lister and we are working closely with the hospital’s dialysis patients to ensure that they derive the optimum benefits offered.
“This new generation of technology has not only reduced the dialysis machine to the size of a portable TV or table-top sewing machine, but the box it sits on actually converts ordinary tap water into the essential liquid dialysate needed to carry out the treatment, which has massively reduced the storage requirement, thus making the whole process truly user friendly.
“This equipment will allow many patients to literarily claim back days of quality time which are currently spent visiting the dialysis centre.
“Users also have the option of switching to a night-time regime of dialysis which takes longer but is a far more gentle and thorough process on the body and as a result gives improved results all round.”
The NxStage machine is 41 inches high and 20 inches wide. It provides a simple, patient-friendly interface and a drop-in cartridge system rather than the complex tubing set of a typical dialysis machine. It also prepares high purity dialysate from ordinary tap water. The NxStage machine was introduced to the critical care setting in the USA in 2003 and received home indication from the FDA in 2005. It has delivered, to date, over 2 million treatments in America.
Anyone wishing more information on the NxStage unit should visit www.kimal.co.uk or contact Ken Findlay on 01895 450205 or 07977 250427.
SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY 2nd JULY 2009
VENUE: Lister Education Centre, East & North Hertfordshire NHS Trust, Coreys Mill Lane, Stevenage SG1 4AB.
09:00 Unveiling of NxStage unit to patients & media
09:30 -11:00 demonstration of unit inc patient undergoing dialysis & opportunity to talk to Dr Greenwood and patient
Any member of the media interested in attending should contact James Manning on 01212366116.
For all media enquiries contact:
Ken Findlay Kimal 01895 450205 or 07977 250427
James Manning Metropolis 2 0121 236 6116
Steve Creswell or Peter Gibson Lister Hospital 01438 781736/ 01438 781522
Friday 26th June 2009
Leading healthcare company Kimal plc has appointed a new Managing Director. Mark Pettitt joins the company as it looks to consolidate and build upon its success in core markets which include the UK and the Middle East.
In addition it is looking to break into new territories with its range of products used to diagnose and treat patients requiring cardiology, radiology, renal and oncology care.
“Beyond that, Kimal is committed to investing in new technologies to further develop its product portfolio and enhance its already enviable reputation,” says Mark.
“The company has conducted an in-depth review of its policies and procedures. One response to the findings has been the determination that the Leadership Team will have the responsibility for execution of objectives, from company targets to customer satisfaction, which are of course inter-dependent. I am pleased to have also been entrusted with the direct Chairmanship of this function.
“My joint roles share much in common, with an overall focus on delivering annual results within the existing product offering and markets. This is central to the success of Kimal and will underpin its wider ambitions.”
Looking specifically at the Leadership Team, it has representatives from all areas of the business, who share the common purpose of working together to develop customer-focused strategies in established markets and deliver performance targets through effective leadership.
Mark has instigated the development of a Leadership Team Charter to ensure that all involved are fully aware of their responsibilities. Members of the Team are accountable for their own specific business units and functions as well as taking responsibility for Kimal’s overall results.
Alan Press, Kimal plc’s chief executive, says: “Mark Pettitt has been appointed as managing director because of his experience and success to date as an established leader, gained with two multi-national healthcare companies. His expertise in building sales valued at millions of dollars and motivating large teams of people across numerous countries will be pivotal in taking the business forward. I wish him well in his role and also welcome him as a director on the board of Kimal Holdings plc.”
Mark will draw on his 24 years of experience managing sales and back office teams in the healthcare industry to identify the core processes necessary to achieving Kimal’s objectives.
“These range from budget and resource planning, fact-based decision making and strategic development to financial analysis and management of initiatives and processes,” he explains.
“Effective internal communication of progress and success will be central to encouraging everyone at Kimal to play their part. Their buy-in will continue to positively influence the culture at Kimal and translate into increasingly efficient operations, which will no doubt lead to a positive response from our customers. I anticipate and plan for a virtuous circle, of success breeding success.”
Friday 26th June 2009
The Board of Kimal Holdings plc has appointed a non-executive chairman. Duncan Eaton, a former NHS Chief Executive with forty years’ experience in public sector and civil service management and procurement, will advise on direction and strategy in addition to lending his experience to the successful delivery of innovation.
Duncan’s appointment is the result of leading healthcare company, Kimal plc, conducting a thorough review of its business with a view to enhancing performance and client responsiveness.
“I join the Board at a very exciting stage in Kimal’s operations and I look forward to making a major contribution to its continuing success,” says Duncan, who lives in Warwickshire.
“The Board has recently made fundamental decisions which have seen major investment in logistics, the creation of new jobs in its facilities in Worcestershire, the realignment of its product portfolio in response to customer demand and the restructuring of its leadership team.
“My role will involve oversight of the broad canvas of Kimal’s operations as well as offering counsel and support to the Board to ensure that it delivers an integrated and focused plan. I very much relish this prospect and look forward to working with the team at Kimal.”
Alan Press, Managing Director of Kimal Holdings plc, is delighted to welcome Duncan to the Board. “We have been operating in the healthcare arena for 45 years and enjoy success in our core markets which include the UK, particularly the NHS, countries within mainland Europe and the Middle East.
“Duncan’s track record is second to none. He established the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency – PASA – is the former Chairman and President of both the Healthcare Supplies Managers Association and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply,” continues Alan. “He is a dynamic individual and I look forward to the benefits his unparalleled expertise will bring to the Board.”
Mr Eaton will continue, of course, with his current commitments and interests. These include his roles as:
Alan Press concludes: “Businesses must continually look at means to increase efficiencies, quality and service while investing in innovation, and breaking into new territories while sustaining and building market share in existing areas.
“I believe that Duncan will make an outstanding contribution to Kimal the brand as well as Kimal the company, supporting our ongoing success in supplying the healthcare market with our range of products, used to diagnose and treat patients requiring cardiology, radiology, renal and oncology care.”
Monday 19th January 2009
Leading healthcare company, Kimal plc, has been conducting a thorough review of its business with a view to enhancing performance and client responsiveness. The outcome of the review is that it will concentrate much of its activities in its facilities in Droitwich and Bromsgrove.
Alan Press, Managing Director of Kimal, explains: “Kimal is enjoying success in its core markets which include the UK, particularly the NHS, countries within mainland Europe and the Middle East. However, no business can be complacent. Being competitive is vital and any and all efficiencies must be optimised.
“We recently invested a six figure sum in our Global Logistics Centre in Stonebridge Cross, Droitwich. This is now fully tested and operational and outperforming our expectations. In addition, its location close to our manufacturing operations in Bromsgrove, offers us a central operating hub close to good road, rail and airport communications and facilitates the meeting of customer requirements.
The Global Logistics Centre was officially opened by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath in March 2007, when he was Minister of State, Department of Health. Roles which will be based in Bromsgrove include HR and the Manufacturing Business Unit. Roles housed at Droitwich will include Finance & Data, the Filtration & Intervention Business Units, Commercial & Supplies, Acute Care & Surgical Products, while the QA & RA functions will run at both Bromsgrove & Droitwich.
Ken Findlay, Kimal Marketing Manager, said: “Focusing operations in our 6,000sqm centralised warehouse and distribution hub in Droitwich and the manufacturing facility in Bromsgrove will mean that purchasing, customer care and distribution will effectively be under one manager on site.
“Meanwhile, it will be ‘business as usual’ for our customers who can continue to liaise with the sales representatives and product specialists who are their regular points of contact, as they remain unaffected.
“We shall also create four business units as part of Kimal’s program of continuous improvement and we shall make further announcements on that front in the coming weeks.”
Alan Press concludes: “The relocation of key activities to our facilities in Bromsgrove and Droitwich will support our long term success and the key role we play in supplying the healthcare market with our range of products, which is used to diagnose and treat patients requiring cardiology, radiology, renal and oncology care.”
For all media enquiries contact:
Ken Findlay, Kimal - 07977 250427
James Manning, Metropolis 2 - 0121 236 6116
Kimal Medical Systems introduces the Kimal IVantage infusion pump
Leading medical devices company Kimal has introduced a solution for patients who need to take nutrition via IV lines but want to retain mobility. The...
Tuesday 1st June 2010