SEATTLE, June 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company; NYSE: BDX), a leading global medical technology company, and FIND (Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics), a Swiss foundation that develops, evaluates and accelerates the implementation of new diagnostic tools for poverty-related diseases, today announced a significant price reduction in the cost of liquid culture testing.

The agreement lowers the cost of BD MGIT(TM) reagents. BD's TB diagnostic technologies utilize liquid culture, a key "standard of care" TB testing protocol that provides results far faster than traditional, solid media culture. The liquid culture test, widely used in modern research settings, is particularly effective for stemming the spread of multi-drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) in developing countries.

"By collaborating with such leading global health organizations as FIND, BD's Global Health initiative implements diagnostic programs that help strengthen healthcare infrastructures in developing countries," said Krista Thompson, Vice President and General Manager, Global Health, BD. "With an emphasis on accessibility, affordability and sustainability, BD provides on-the- ground technical assistance, training and products that maximize the capacity to diagnose TB, including drug-resistant strains, in nations where the disease is most prevalent."

The price reduction -- announced five months earlier than anticipated -- arises from a November 2007 agreement between BD and FIND. At that time, BD agreed to reduce already below-market prices upon the completion of 3.5 million tests, a milestone achieved this month. The lower prices will enable more tests to be administered in 39 high-burden countries, as identified by the World Health Organization (WHO).

"We are very happy about this price reduction for a needed assay to better and more rapidly detect MDR-TB and XDR-TB. These results are also a direct outcome of a fruitful collaboration with public and private partners such as UNITAID and BD," said Dr. Giorgio Roscigno, FIND Chief Executive Officer. "During a time of severe economic distress, resources are constrained and high-burden countries face intensified healthcare challenges. This agreement means that it will be possible to make this test more accessible and affordable to those who need it most, which is very encouraging and promising."

"With financial support from UNITAID, state-of-the-art technologies to diagnose MDR-TB are being introduced in low-income countries for the first time by FIND, GLI and GDF," said Jorge Bermudez, Executive Secretary of UNITAID.