REX MEDICAL/ANGIOTECH SIGN PACT FOR DIALYSIS CATHETER.

Rex Medical, L.P., has entered into an agreement with Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the development and distribution of the Hemo-Stream Chronic Dialysis Catheter. Financial terms of this agreement were not disclosed. Hemo-Stream technology is the first chronic hemodialysis catheter specifically designed for over-the-wire delivery. This innovative 15Fr catheter design completely eliminates the use of a tear-away sheath required for insertion of competitive technologies minimizing procedural related blood loss and other potential issues. In addition, Hemo-Stream technology demonstrates high performance characteristics including flow rate, recirculation and hemolysis compared to the leading competitors. Kidney disease affects more than 20 million people in the U.S. resulting in up to 70,000 deaths annually. There are over 500,000 End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) patients in the U.S. of which over 400,000 are currently receiving long term hemodialysis treatments. ESRD occurs when the kidney is at complete or near complete failure to function properly. The leading contributing factor for ESRD is diabetes.

Commenting on the recent Hemo-Stream technology agreement, Rex Medical Founder, James F. McGuckin, MD, stated, We are pleased to be partnering with the Angiotech team. Their industry leadership and access to coating technologies is second to none. The combination of the Hemo-Stream catheter design, delivery and performance attributes along with the potential to include a variety of coating options should be well received by both the interventional community and ESRD patient population. It is expected that Hemo-Stream catheters will be available for commercial sale in the U.S. later this year.

Rex Medical, L.P., based in Conshohocken, PA., is a privately held medical device company specializing in the development, manufacturing and marketing of minimally invasive medical devices targeted towards the cardiovascular, venous access, endosurgery and oncology markets. Rex Medical is ISO 13485 certified.

For more information, call 610/940-0665, ext. 100 or visit http://www.rexmedical.com.