ZOLL Medical and Medwave Sign OEM Supplier Agreement for
Non-Invasive Blood Pressure Technology
DANVERS and CHELMSFORD, Mass., July 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Medwave, Inc. (NASDAQ:MDWV), an innovator in sensor-based, non-invasive blood pressure
measuring solutions, and ZOLL Medical Corporation (NASDAQ:ZOLL), a manufacturer
of non-invasive resuscitation devices and software solutions, announced today
that the two companies have signed an OEM supplier agreement, under which ZOLL
will purchase Medwave's non-invasive blood pressure technology for
incorporation into its cardiac resuscitation products.
According to Richard A. Packer, President and Chief Executive Officer of ZOLL,
"Blood pressure is a fundamental clinical assessment parameter in both acute
and emergency care. Through clinical studies, Medwave has shown its technology
can provide reliable and accurate readings that are comparable to measurements
obtained with invasive arterial catheters. The integration of this technology
into ZOLL's products will offer advantages for both caregivers and patients." Blood pressure (BP) is the force of blood against the walls of arteries and is
recorded as two numbers: the systolic pressure (as the heart beats) and the
diastolic pressure (as the heart relaxes between beats). While BP is measured
everywhere within the healthcare spectrum, in emergency and prehospital
settings, it can be challenging to obtain a manual BP reading.
Medwave introduced its technology to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
market and hospital trauma centers approximately two years ago. Since then,
clinical validation studies have concluded that Medwave's technology performs
more effectively than conventional blood pressure cuffs in similar
environments.
Tim O'Malley, President and CEO of Medwave stated, "It makes sense that ZOLL
and Medwave should work together given that both companies are innovators in
resuscitation and BP monitoring, respectively. We believe customers will
benefit from the integration of our BP monitoring solutions into ZOLL's
advanced line of products. Our technology overcomes the significant challenges
caregivers face while attempting to monitor patients with conventional BP
devices. We believe this integration will help improve patient monitoring and
management in prehospital, transport, and hospital settings." About ZOLL Medical Corporation ZOLL Medical Corporation (NASDAQ:ZOLL) designs, manufactures, markets, and/or
sells non-invasive resuscitation devices and software solutions. They include
pacing and defibrillation devices (ZOLL's M Series(TM) and AED Plus(TM), and
LIFECOR, Inc.'s LifeVest(TM) Wearable Defibrillator); circulatory assist
devices (Advanced Circulatory Systems, Inc.'s ResQPOD(TM) Circulatory Enhancer
and Revivant Corporation's AutoPulse(TM)); and a fluid resuscitation product
called the Power Infuser(R), manufactured by Infusion Dynamics, a division of
ZOLL. These devices help healthcare professionals, emergency medical service
providers, and first responders diagnose and treat victims of trauma, as well
as sudden cardiac arrest.
Additionally, through its subsidiary ZOLL Data Systems, ZOLL designs and
markets software that automates the collection and management of both clinical
and non-clinical data. With direct operations, international offices, and
business partners in all of the world's major markets, ZOLL markets and sells
its products in more than 140 countries. For more information, visit
http://www.zoll.com/ or call +1 (978) 421-9655.
About Medwave, Inc.
Medwave, Inc. develops, manufactures, and distributes sensor based non-invasive
blood pressure products. Its Vasotrax(R) Hand Held Monitor, the Vasotrac(R)
APM205A NIBP Monitor, the Vasotrac DS Monitor, and the MJ23 OEM Module are new
approaches to non-invasive blood pressure monitoring. Medwave has received the
necessary regulatory clearances to market its technology in Europe, Asia, and
the United States. Medwave is ISO13485/ISO9001/MDD93/42/EEC certified, and all
of its products are CE marked. Medwave previously received the Seal of
Acceptance from the Alliance of Children's Hospitals, as well as the Frost and
Sullivan Market Engineering Award for Technology Innovation. Medwave's
technology is installed in over 500 hospitals and clinics worldwide. The
company trades on the NASDAQ small cap market under the symbol MDWV.
Certain statements contained in this press release, including statements
regarding the anticipated development of ZOLL's business, ZOLL's ability to
differentiate its products from others on the market, and other statements
contained herein regarding matters that are not historical facts, are
"forward-looking" statements (as defined in the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995). Because such statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, those factors
discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in ZOLL's Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on May 19, 2004.
In addition, the following factors, among others, as well as factors discussed
in Medwave's filings with the SEC, have affected and, in the future, could
affect Medwave's actual results: resistance to the acceptance of new medical
products, the market acceptance of the Vasotrac(R) system and other products of
Medwave, hospital budgeting cycles, the possibility of adverse or negative
results or commentary from clinical researchers or other users or evaluators of
Medwave's products, Medwave's success in creating effective distribution
channels for its products, Medwave's ability to scale up its manufacturing
process, and delays in product development or enhancement or regulatory
approval. Consequently, no forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and
actual results may vary materially.
All trademarks are property of their respective owners. DATASOURCE: Medwave, Inc.
CONTACT: Investor Contact, Tim O'Malley, President and CEO of Medwave, Inc., +1-978-762-8999; Investor Contact, A. Ernest Whiton, Chief Financial Officer, +1-978-421-9655, or Media Contact, Robert Minicucci, Corporate Communications Manager, +1-978-421-9832, both of ZOLL Medical Corporation Web Site: http://www.zoll.com/
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