Winnipeg-based Intelligent Hospital Systems (IHS) has beefed up its market presence in the Middle East after announcing a distribution agreement in Israel.
It already has a distributor in Saudi Arabia and a corporate presence in Turkey.
IHS is the maker of robotic intravenous automation (RIVA) units, which sell for about $1.5 million each. They are fully automated intravenous (IV) compounding systems that prepare medications for syringes and IV bags in an antiseptic environment.
The company, launched in 2006, now has 38 sales in the books, the majority of them in the U.S.
It recently sold a second unit to Children’s Hospital of Orange County in California, which was the company’s first customer. A RIVA system is scheduled for installation in Doha, Qatar, and there are installations as far away as Australia.
Randy Kehler, the global distribution manager for IHS, said the company expects sales this year from its new Israeli distributor, Tel Aviv-based Nevo Medical Ltd.
“They are aggressively pursuing the market,” Kehler said. “They approached us. They had already done the market evaluation before contacting us. They have been to Winnipeg and they brought customers here to see our technology.”
Kehler said the company is currently close to signing its first distributor in South America that would cover Mexico and Chile.
Talks are also underway with interested parties in Singapore, the Netherlands, Great Britain and Korea and Kehler said the company wants Brazil to be the next region in South America to have a distributor.
RIVA is recognized for its ability to safely and accurately prepare precise compounds in small quantities. By eliminating the possibility of human error with its robotics operation, the company has demonstrated enhanced safety results, lower cost-per-dose of medications. It also provides a complete electronic audit trail that identifies and labels every dispensed dose.
IHS is owned by a group led by Winnipeg-based Western Life Sciences Venture Fund, founded by Winnipeg businessman Kevin McGarry.
Randy Kehler, a Berliner Kehler who resides in Winnipeg, is the oldest son of Benjamin & Martha Kehler, Steinbach, MB.
Way to go Randy !