Apex Medical Technologies Inc. has signed one partially exclusive contract with a company overseas and is negotiating with another firm for use of Apex Medical's proprietary curing system.
The company also plans to expand its exclusive curing technology to include silicone.
The deal with the overseas business is exclusive for the Japanese market but non-exclusive for the rest of the world, according to Mark McGlothlin, president and CEO of the San Diego-based firm. He declined to provide the name of the company or financial details.
The contract gives the firm the right to use Apex Medical's curing technology for polyisoprene latex condoms, McGlothlin said at the fifth annual International Latex Conference, held July 30-31 in Fairlawn, Ohio.
Apex Medical's curing system reduces latex cure times and eliminates the need for prevulcanization and maturation. Properties such as tensile set, solvent resistance and high-temperature stability are improved with post-dip crosslinking of both solvent- and water-based polyurethanes, the executive said.
In addition, zinc oxide, sulfur, boosters and accelerators are unnecessary with the system. ``It's a pure system'' that cures less-than-perfect chemicals and helps solve an environmental problem caused by zinc oxide and normal compounds that are unnecessary, McGlothlin said.
The second company considering a contract for the curing system also was unidentified. If Apex Medical and the firm agree to terms, the business will have exclusive or co-exclusive rights to use the curing technology on polyisoprene surgical gloves, he said.
``It's not a done deal yet,'' he said. ``But we've had serious negotiations.'' He did not estimate how long it may take to complete the discussions.
Apex Medical seeks other firms that want to obtain licenses for use of the technology on condoms in the rest of the world, and especially wants to expand in the U.S.
``We're seeking a U.S. partner, or someone who wants to market in the U.S., willing to do the clinical tests that demonstrate the product will work in the market,'' McGlothlin said.
In the meantime, Apex Medical is testing its dipping system on silicone. ``This should make a superior silicone catheter balloon,'' he said. ``We think it will work well in that area.''
Apex Medical operates out of a 6,000-sq.-ft. facility in San Diego and employs about 16. It was formed in 1986 primarily to handle dip molding.