ZOLL Medical Corporation (Nasdaq GS: ZOLL), a manufacturer of medical devices and related software solutions, announced today that it has granted exclusive rights to Asahi Kasei Corporation, Tokyo, (TYO: 3407.T) to import and distribute the ZOLL AED Plus® in Japan through its subsidiary, ADMIS Inc.
The AED Plus is an automated external defibrillator that incorporates ZOLL’s real-time CPR feedback technology, Real CPR Help®, which assists rescuers in delivering high-quality CPR to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) victims. The AED Plus will be the only AED with CPR feedback capability available in the Japanese market.
Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW), the country’s equivalent of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), granted approval of the import and distribution of the AED Plus in July 2010.
This agreement with ZOLL marks the beginning of Asahi Kasei’s launch into the emergency and critical care area, and the two companies will advance further discussion on possible alliances for marketing, sales, and R&D in other medical devices and health care-related businesses.
The expansion of health care-related businesses is a key strategic pillar of the Asahi Kasei Group’s new mid-term initiative “For Tomorrow 2015,” with a focus on “living in health and comfort.” Asahi Kasei has launched a “Health Care for Tomorrow” project to advance the strategic creation of new businesses, not only through the combination of various group businesses ranging from housing and electronics to health care, but also through alliances with other companies.
The market for AEDs in Japan is the second largest market following the U.S. Since approval of the use of AEDs by non-medical professionals in 2004, it has expanded to 70,000-80,000 units annually with a value of approximately $200 million.
“The distribution agreement with Asahi Kasei for the AED Plus is a significant milestone that will open up many additional opportunities for growth in this important market,” said Jonathan Rennert, President of ZOLL. “The introduction of real-time feedback will help rescuers administer high-quality CPR, which is an important factor in successful resuscitation from sudden cardiac arrest.”
As in the United States, sudden cardiac death is a major public health problem in Japan, with about 63,000 deaths annually. Many are potentially preventable with widespread availability of AEDs and high-quality performance of CPR.
About Sudden Cardiac Arrest
SCA, an abrupt disruption of the heart’s function, which causes a lack of blood flow to vital organs, claims more than 1 million lives globally each year. It is the leading cause of unexpected death in the world and strikes without warning. Currently, 95 percent of SCA victims do not survive.
About Asahi Kasei Corporation
Asahi Kasei is a Japan-based holding company engaged in nine core business segments, including medical and drug. The company has around 25,000 employees and had fiscal 2011 consolidated sales of ¥ 1.7 trillion, approximately $20 billion (U.S.). Headquartered in Tokyo, Asahi Kasei has offices and plants across Japan, as well as in China, Singapore, Thailand, the U.S., and Germany. It is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and is part of the Nikkei 225 index. The mission of its ADMIS subsidiary is to help foreign manufacturers introduce state-of-the-art medical devices to the Japanese medical community. For more information, visit www.asahi-kasei.co.jp.
About ZOLL Medical Corporation
ZOLL Medical Corporation develops and markets medical devices and software solutions that help advance emergency care and save lives, while increasing clinical and operational efficiencies. With products for defibrillation and monitoring, circulation and CPR feedback, data management, fluid resuscitation, and therapeutic temperature management, ZOLL provides a comprehensive set of technologies that help clinicians, EMS and fire professionals, and lay rescuers treat victims needing resuscitation and critical care.
A NASDAQ Global Select company and a Forbes 100 Most Trustworthy Company in 2007, 2008, and 2009, ZOLL develops and manufactures its products in the United States, in California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. More than 400 direct sales and service representatives, 1,100 business partners, and 200 independent representatives serve our customers in over 140 countries around the globe. For more information, visit www.zoll.com.
Certain statements contained in this press release, including statements regarding the anticipated development of the Company’s business, our belief regarding revenues, 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 the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on December 17, 2010 and updated in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed subsequently to the Form 10-K. You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements in this press release, and the Company disavows any obligation to update or supplement those statements in the event of any changes in the facts, circumstances, or expectations that underlie those statements.
Copyright © 2011 ZOLL Medical Corporation. All rights reserved. 269 Mill Road, Chelmsford, MA 01824-4105. AED Plus, Real CPR Help, and ZOLL are trademarks or registered trademarks of ZOLL Medical Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
INVESTOR CONTACT:
A. Ernest Whiton
Chief Financial Officer
ZOLL Medical Corporation
MEDIA CONTACT:
Diane Egan
ZOLL Medical Corporation
+1 (978) 421-9637
degan@zoll.com
Zoll Names Asahi Kasei Exclusive Distributor for AED Plus in Japan
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