FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J., March 13, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) (NYSE: BDX), today issued the following statement after a White House meeting with CEOs of companies who have been involved in the effort to expand access to COVID-19 (coronavirus) testing and test development. BD CEO and President Tom Polen participated in the meeting.

Polen said: "The companies involved in efforts to expand access to coronavirus testing, including BD, made it clear that we are here to support the U.S. effort to combat coronavirus as we have in other parts of the world. Specifically for BD, we are working around the clock internally and with external partners to increase the coronavirus diagnostic capacity in the U.S by ramping up production of our sample collection tools and increasing access to our automated molecular platform for in vitro diagnostics. Early next week, BD will be submitting an emergency use authorization request to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a coronavirus test for use on the BD MAX™ molecular diagnostic system. The BD MAX™ system is already in use in hundreds of laboratories across the U.S. in nearly every state. BD is also exploring development of a point-of-care test for coronavirus by leveraging the BD Veritor™ system.  The BD Veritor™ system is currently used to test for other respiratory infections including Influenza A, Influenza B, RSV, and group A Streptococcus. BD commends the Administration's appointment of Adm. Brett Giroir to lead the coordination of coronavirus testing efforts among public health service agencies. BD is committed to assisting in the U.S. response across our diagnostic and health care delivery platforms, as we have in China, Europe and beyond."

About BD
BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world and is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and the delivery of care. The company supports the heroes on the frontlines of health care by developing innovative technology, services and solutions that help advance both clinical therapy for patients and clinical process for health care providers. BD and its 65,000 employees have a passion and commitment to help enhance the safety and efficiency of clinicians' care delivery process, enable laboratory scientists to accurately detect disease and advance researchers' capabilities to develop the next generation of diagnostics and therapeutics. BD has a presence in virtually every country and partners with organizations around the world to address some of the most challenging global health issues. By working in close collaboration with customers, BD can help enhance outcomes, lower costs, increase efficiencies, improve safety and expand access to health care. For more information on BD, please visit bd.com.

SOURCE BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company)