Becton Dickinson & Co Stock Price, News & Analysis

On February 1, 2022, BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) announced its board of directors approved the spinoff of its diabetes care business, set to become Embecta Corp. The spinoff will take effect on April 1, 2022, with BD shareholders receiving one share of Embecta stock for every five shares of BD owned by March 22, 2022. The move aims to sharpen BD's focus on its core growth strategies and enhance Embecta's capacity for capital attraction and innovation in diabetes management. The IRS has deemed the transaction tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) has acquired Cytognos, a Spanish firm specializing in flow cytometry solutions for blood cancer diagnostics. This move enhances BD’s portfolio by integrating advanced assays for monitoring minimal residual disease (MRD) and improving cancer care. Cytognos brings over 25 years of expertise, complementing BD’s existing products and expanding its reach in chronic disease management. The acquisition, expected to be immaterial to BD's fiscal 2022 results, strengthens existing collaborations with the EuroFlow Consortium.

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) announced a peer-reviewed study in Obstetrics & Gynecology highlighting the effectiveness of molecular diagnostics in diagnosing vaginitis. The study found that clinician assessments missed 45.3% of positive cases and incorrectly identified 12.3% of negative cases. With vaginitis affecting 6 to 10 million women annually in the U.S., this study emphasizes the need for accurate diagnostic tools. The BD MAX™ Vaginal Panel Assay provides quicker and more accurate results, enhancing treatment decisions for patients.

The Board of Directors of BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.87 per common share. This dividend is scheduled for payment on March 31, 2022, to shareholders of record as of March 10, 2022. The indicated annual dividend rate stands at $3.48 per share, reflecting BD's commitment to returning value to its shareholders.

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) announced a significant advancement in flow cytometry through its new BD CellView™ Image Technology, highlighted in the journal Science. This technology allows for the sorting of individual cells at speeds of up to 15,000 cells per second, integrating fluorescence imaging for enhanced analysis. The system captures detailed images, enabling precise identification of biomarkers and their distributions, which could accelerate research in immunology and genomics. The technology promises to transform cell-based therapeutic discovery, filling long-standing gaps in biomedical research.

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) announces a collaboration with Pfizer and Wellcome to enhance antimicrobial stewardship through improved diagnostic practices. This initiative aims to identify gaps in current diagnostic testing related to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which poses a significant global health challenge, potentially leading to 10 million deaths annually by 2050. Experts emphasize the need for better diagnostic tools and education to combat AMR effectively. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of diagnostics in managing antibiotic use.

BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) has received FDA 510(k) clearance for its BD Kiestra™ IdentifA system, aimed at automating microbiology bacterial identification testing. This automated system utilizes BD Synapsys™ informatics and robotics to enhance accuracy and efficiency, reducing human error in sample preparation. The BD Kiestra™ IdentifA is notable for being the only FDA-cleared solution integrated into a track-connected lab automation system. This innovation seeks to improve patient management by accelerating pathogen identification, thereby supporting better clinical decision-making.