| CONTACTS: |
César García,
President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
818-709-1244 x 7123
|
|
-or-
|
|
Ron Stabiner, The Wall Street Group, Inc. |
|
212-888-4848 |
CHATSWORTH, Calif., May 10, 2007 - IRIS International, Inc. (NASDAQ GM: IRIS)
today announced that the Company has received a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Award from the U.S. Veterans Administration's Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), to include the placement of nine iQ®200 Automated Urinalysis Systems, two iQ® Body Fluids Modules and nine iChem™100 semi-automated Urine Chemistry Analyzers.
The products will be placed into eight medical centers and one outpatient clinic in the Department of Veterans Affairs VISN 6 Network, which serves veterans in North Carolina,
Virginia and parts of West Virginia.
"We are pleased to continue our long association with the Department of Veterans Affairs," stated IRIS President and Chief Executive Officer César M. García.
"This order represents the fourth VISN to standardize on IRIS products and the fifth VISN to purchase our systems. Following previous agreements with VISN 1, VISN 4, VISN 7 and VISN 16, IRIS to date has
placed 95 automated instruments within Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare networks. We continue our already strong presence in the Department of Veterans Affairs medical system, which consists of 21
VISN Networks in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) representing 158 hospitals, and we look forward to working with the V.A. and its healthcare professionals as they strive to provide safe, effective,
efficient, and compassionate care to veterans nationwide."
The iQ®200 System is the only fully integrated platform in the world performing complete urinalysis, both chemistry and microscopy. The iQ®200
Body Fluids Module enables the iQ®200 to analyze cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serous fluids such as peritoneal (abdominal), pericardial (heart), and pleural (lung) in order to examine and
count red blood cells and nucleated cells. The iChem™100 is a semi-automated, benchtop instrument designed as a backup for the IRIS automated urine chemistry analyzer and for small clinical laboratories
testing up to 50 samples per day, which include small hospitals, outpatient clinics, alternate care facilities, nursing homes and large physician offices.
THE COMPANY
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. 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. The Iris Molecular Diagnostics (IMD)
Subsidiary, based in San Diego, Calif., develops innovative ultra-sensitive diagnostics and sample processing products with applications in the urinalysis, oncology and infectious disease markets.
Advanced Digital Imaging Research, LLC (ADIR), based near Houston, Tex., is the Company's imaging research and development subsidiary.
SAFE HARBOR PROVISION
This news 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, 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; including obtaining any required
governmental approvals; 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.
