Agfa To Set Up International Training And Demonstration Center at University of Maryland Medical System

Business Wire, May 12, 1998

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J.--(BW HealthWire)--May 12, 1998--Agfa and the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) have established a partnering relationship in which the two organizations will work together to get the most from each other's capabilities and expertise.

UMMS, for example, will apply its shock trauma experience to the PACS environment. For its part, Agfa will establish UMMS as a computed radiography (CR) clinical evaluation site, and also as an international training and demonstration site for its CR and IMPAX products.

Centered on a PACS network Agfa is installing for the University, the relationship is patterned after a similar partnership already in place between UMMS and Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc., a leading provider of diagnostic imaging systems. According to Agfa Medical President John Glass, Toshiba provided invaluable assistance to Agfa during their partnership meetings with UMMS.

"In recognizing that radiologists are important as information managers, this is the beginning of enterprise-wide solutions for all our departments," says Dr. Philip A. Templeton, M.D., Professor and Chairman, Department of Diagnostic Radiology, at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

"A similar relationship with Toshiba has been a positive experience," he continues. "Toshiba has supported our CT and vascular research, and we have conducted customer and sales force training in our facilities. Now both companies have a stake in our future. Agfa will use us as a CR and PACS showcase, and they will work with us in research on CR algorithms." -0-

The Agfa-Gevaert Group is a leading worldwide manufacturer of imaging products and systems with annual sales of $5 billion. Headquartered in Leverkusen, Germany and Mortsel, Belgium, Agfa-Gevaert manufactures and markets products and systems for the photographic and digital graphic communications, medical and technical diagnostic, and amateur and professional photographic markets. In the United States, the Agfa Division, with headquarters in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, is a part of Bayer Corporation. Bayer, headquartered in Pittsburgh, is a research-based company with major businesses in health care and life sciences, chemicals and imaging technologies. Bayer had sales of $9.3 billion in 1997 and employs 24,000 people. Capital expenditures totaled $746 million, and $639 million was spent for research and development. Bayer Corporation is a member of the worldwide Bayer Group, a $32.4 billion chemical and pharmaceutical company, also based in Leverkusen.

CONTACT: Agfa Division, Bayer Corporation, Ridgefield Park

Thomas E. Colucci, 201/641-9566

Fax: 201/440-1512