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BETHESDA,
MD, (January 7, 2005) -
Chindex® International, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHDX), a leading independent
American provider of western healthcare products and services in the
People's Republic of China, announced today an exclusive, multi-year
distribution agreement for the People's Republic of China with Intuitive
Surgical (NASDAQ: ISRG), the innovator and market leader in surgical
robotics.
Under
the terms of the agreement, Chindex will market and distribute the
da Vinci ® Surgical System throughout the healthcare industry
in China . Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci ® Surgical
System is the first totally "intuitive" laparoscopic surgical
robot. It was the first operative surgical robotic system cleared
by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is now
used in more than 160 sites in the USA as well as many countries in
Europe but has yet to be introduced in China .
Chindex
President and CEO, Roberta Lipson commented from Beijing, "The
da Vinci ® Surgical System is a cutting edge technology
that is redefining the world of minimally invasive surgery around
the world, shortening the operating time and dramatically reducing
post-operative complications in such important procedures as Cardiac
By-Pass, Radical Prostatectomy and other life saving surgeries. We
have begun discussions about placements of the system in the premier
surgical centers around the country and the response is enthusiastic.
The Chinese government is committed to supporting its major healthcare
providers with the leading edge equipment at a world-class level."
Intuitive
Surgical's Senior Vice President of Sales, Jerry McNamara said: "Chindex
is well recognized in the China market for bringing new top tier healthcare
technologies to China . Our da Vinci ® system is changing
the world of minimally invasive surgery. We believe the product
is right for introduction in China at this time and Chindex is the
right distributor for us."
About
Chindex International, Inc.
Chindex
is an American company operating in several healthcare sectors of
the Chinese marketplace, including Hong Kong . It provides representative
and distribution services to a number of major multinational companies
including Siemens AG (ultrasound systems), and Guidant (interventional
cardiology products including stents, balloon catheters and guide
wires). Its distribution channels to the retail pharmacy industry
in China have been developed through a relationship with a major multinational
cosmetics manufacturer. It also provides healthcare services through
the operations of its private hospital corporation in China . With
twenty-three years of experience, over 800 employees, and operations
in the United States , China and Hong Kong , the Company's strategy
is to expand its cross-cultural reach by providing leading edge technologies,
quality products and services to Greater China's professional communities.
Further company information may be found at the Company's websites
www.chindex.com and www.unitedfamilyhospitals.com
.
About
Intuitive Surgical:
Intuitive
Surgical has established itself as the leader in operative surgical
robotics. Through the development and commercialization of the da
Vinci ® Surgical System, Intuitive Surgical is taking surgery
beyond the limits of the human hand™. Intuitive is creating
technologies that not only enable surgeons to perform minimally invasive
surgery (MIS) in a manner never before experienced, but also may aid
in reducing trauma, postoperative pain and surgical complications
for patients by operating with the flexibility of open surgery through
tiny ports. The FDA has cleared the System for use in performing
many surgical procedures including general laparoscopic surgery, thoracoscopic
(chest) surgery, laparoscopic radical prostatectomies, and thoracoscopically
assisted cardiotomy procedures.
The
statements in this press release that relate to future plans, events
or performance are forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties, including risks associated with uncertainties pertaining
to the Company's (i) introduction of new products, including the products
described in this release, (ii) performance goals, including successful
conclusion of efforts to secure government-backed financing, (iii)
future events and earnings, including revenues from the Company's
developmental businesses such as healthcare services, (iv) markets,
including growth in demand in China for the Company's products and
services, and (v) proposed new operations, including expansion of
its healthcare services business. Actual results, events and performance
may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance
on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date
hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publicly the
result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may
be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or
to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
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