Fullerton’s Beckman Coulter Inc., a maker of diagnostic testing machines for hospitals, other healthcare providers and researchers, said Tuesday regulators approved its latest device for analyzing blood cells in medical treatment and research.
The Food and Drug Administration OK’d Beckman’s UniCel DxH 800 machine, which automates the running of tests that analyze blood cells.
The machine, the latest in Beckman’s workhorse UniCel line, can capture 29 measurements per cell, according to the company.
Beckman is starting to sell the UniCel DxH 800 at a tough time.
The company’s shares are down 40% this year on a market value of $2.6 billion on concerns about hospitals putting off big purchases.
Traditionally recession proof, hospitals are nervous in the current downturn because of tougher financing amid the credit crunch, lost investment income from Wall Street’s fall and the risk of treating more patients who don’t have insurance because of layoffs.
Earlier this month, Beckman reaffirmed its outlook for the year and forecast a 10% profit hike in 2009.
Beckman expects to make $222.5 million to $228.7 million on a 12% revenue hike in 2008.
Based on Beckman’s $2.76 billion in revenue in 2007, that means the company anticipates 2008 revenue of $3.09 billion.
Analyst estimates expect Beckman to make $224.3 million on $3.11 billion in 2008.
For 2009, Beckman said it expected its profit to grow 10% on cost controls and a shift toward higher-margin products, including the UniCel DxH 800.
Wall Street expects Beckman to make $246.3 million on $3.93 billion in revenue in 2009.
