Draeger Medical Honored with Frost & Sullivan Award for Technology Innovation

Business Wire, Oct 24, 2005

LUBECK, Germany & DANVERS, Mass. -- Frost & Sullivan has awarded Draeger Medical with the 2005 Award for Technology Innovation in the multiparameter patient monitoring market. The award, which recognizes patented Infinity(R) Pick and Go(R) technology for its ability to provide continuous, uncompromised monitoring, will be presented at MEDICA 2005 in Dusseldorf, Germany.

The award recognizes Draeger Medical's innovative Infinity(R) patient monitor Pick and Go(R) technology. Through the use of a single, transportable patient monitor, the Pick and Go(R) system eliminates the need for separate transport monitors and enables patient vital sign data to be continuously tracked throughout procedures, during transport from remote locations, and even while being moved throughout a facility.

According to the Society of Critical Care Medicine's Guidelines for the Transfer of Critically Ill Patients, "The patient being transported should receive the same physiologic monitoring during transport as they are receiving in the ICU if technologically possible." Draeger Medical's Pick and Go(R) technology can help hospitals successfully address this guideline.

"The concept of integration with clinical information systems and the creation of IT applications is currently being innovated by all of the market leaders including Philips Medical Systems, GE Healthcare, Spacelabs, and Draeger Medical," said Nathan H. Cohen, a research analyst in the Frost & Sullivan patient monitoring group. "Utilizing the convergence of several in-house technologies to create the Pick and Go(R) platform, Draeger is differentiating itself by creating a truly flexible high-acuity monitoring environment."

The Frost & Sullivan Award for Technology Innovation is presented to the company that demonstrates technological excellence within its industry. To select the recipient, the Frost & Sullivan analyst team tracks emerging and existing technologies and R&D developments. This process includes interviews with market participants and customers, and considers product launches, penetration rates and time to market.

"The flexible Pick and Go(R) technology facilitates process improvement, enhances patient safety and improves bedside workflow," said Marcus Aben, President and CEO, Draeger Medical Systems, global headquarters for the Monitoring and IT Business Unit. "We are pleased to be recognized by Frost & Sullivan for our commitment to innovation."

About Frost & Sullivan:

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit www.frost.com

About Draeger Medical:

Draeger Medical AG & Co. KGaA is one of the world's leading manufacturers of medical equipment, the largest division of Draegerwerk AG (history dates back to 1889) and a 65:35 joint venture company between Draegerwerk AG and Siemens AG. The global Company offers products, services and integrated CareArea(TM) Solutions throughout the patient care process - Emergency Care, Perioperative Care, Critical Care, Perinatal Care and Home Care. With headquarters in Lubeck, Germany, Draeger Medical employs nearly 6,000 people worldwide. Additional information is available on the Company's website www.draeger-medical.com