| CONTACTS: |
César García,
Chairman, President and CEO |
|
818-709-1244 x 7123
|
|
-or-
|
|
Ron Stabiner, The Wall Street Group, Inc. |
|
212-888-4848 |
CHATSWORTH, Calif., Feb 28, 2008 - Iris Diagnostics, a division of IRIS International, Inc. (NASDAQ GM: IRIS)
a leading manufacturer of urinalysis systems and consumables for use in hospitals and commercial laboratories worldwide, today announced that it has shipped five
iQ®200 ELITE Automated Urine Microscopy Analyzers to one of the largest clinical reference laboratories in Canada. The laboratory purchased the units from ESBE
Scientific, IRIS' Canadian distributor.
"This sale of our iQ200 ELITE Analyzers represents our entry into the high volume clinical reference laboratory segment in Canada and we
congratulate ESBE Scientific for this important achievement," stated César García, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of IRIS International, Inc. "This
Canadian sale of our iQ®200 analyzers is a major milestone in our international marketing campaign which targets approximately 60 countries. We are very pleased
with the partnership that has been created by this sale and expect to continue strengthening this relationship as we release our new product pipeline," Mr. García said.
The iQ®200 uses Auto-Particle Recognition (APR™), a well-trained neural network, to classify and quantitate twelve formed
elements. The results can be auto-reported based on user-defined criteria and the images captured may be viewed on demand at the workstation monitor, dramatically reducing the
need for manual microscopy and improving laboratory productivity.
ABOUT IRIS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
IRIS International, Inc. (www.proiris.com), based in Chatsworth, Calif., is a leading developer,
manufacturer, and marketer of medical devices, diagnostic systems and consumables. The Iris Diagnostics Division (www.irisdiagnostics.com)
is a leader in automated urinalysis technology with systems in major medical institutions throughout the world. Iris Molecular Diagnostics develops innovative ultra-sensitive
diagnostics and sample processing products with applications in the urinalysis, oncology and infectious disease markets. The Company's Sample Processing business unit, formerly
the StatSpin® subsidiary (www.statspin.com) based in Westwood, Mass., manufactures innovative centrifuges
and blood analysis products.
SAFE HARBOR PROVISION
This press release contains forward-looking statements made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the Company's views on future financial performance, market growth, capital requirements, regulatory
developments, new product introductions and acquisitions, and are generally identified by phrases such as "thinks," "anticipates," "believes,"
"estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," and similar words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and
are inherently subject to uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statement. These statements are based
upon, among other things, assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management, including management's own knowledge and assessment of the Company's
industry, R&D initiatives, competition and capital requirements. Other factors and uncertainties that could affect the Company's forward-looking statements include, among
other things, the following: identification of feasible new product initiatives, management of R&D efforts and the resulting successful development of new products and product
platforms; obtaining regulatory approvals for new and enhanced products; acceptance by customers of the Company's products; integration of acquired businesses; substantial
expansion of international sales; reliance on key suppliers; the potential need for changes in long-term strategy in response to future developments; future advances in diagnostic
testing methods and procedures; potential changes in government regulations and healthcare policies, both of which could adversely affect the economics of the diagnostic testing
procedures automated by the Company's products; rapid technological change in the microelectronics and software industries; and competitive factors, including pricing pressures
and the introduction by others of new products with similar or better functionality than our products. These and other risks are more fully described in the Company's filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which should be read in
conjunction herewith for a further discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The Company
undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
