East Anglia-based infection prevention products company Tristel has signed a manufacturing and marketing agreement covering North, Central and South America.

The deal will see Parker Laboratories Inc, based in Fairfield, New Jersey, USA, manufacturer Tristel’s Duo chlorine dioxide foam disinfectant and market the product in the ultrasound market across the Americas.

Tristel, which is based at Snailwell, near Newmarket, says the collaboration will prepare it for entry into the United States infection prevention market ahead of approval from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which is expected during the second half of the current financial year.

EPA clearance will enable Duo to claim intermediate disinfection of all non-porous surfaces, including those of medical instruments such as ultrasound probes. This is Tristel’s core activity worldwide and accounts for approximately 80% of the company’s revenues.

However, following EPA federal approval, the company will still need to secure state-by-state approval before sales of Duo can commence.

In addition, Tristel is continuing to develop two submissions to be made to the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) clearance allowing Duo to claim high-level disinfection of medical instruments. Duo is already classified as a high-level disinfectant in all other markets worldwide.

Paul Swinney, chief executive of Tristel, said: “We are very pleased to conclude this collaboration with Parker, whose president and main shareholder we first met some 15 years ago.

“The company is extremely well-known in ultrasound having been around for so many years under the long-term ownership and management of the Buchalter family.

“Our collaboration will give us the platform to access the ultrasound marketplace throughout the United States and the Americas, first with our EPA approved Duo product and in due course with our FDA approved Duo.”