Natus Medical Signs Agreement with Fisher & Paykel Healthcare for neoB

    Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

    SAN CARLOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 15, 2005--Natus Medical Incorporated (Nasdaq:BABY) today announced the signing of a private label agreement with Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, a leading manufacturer of neonatal warmers, resuscitators and respiratory care devices. Under this agreement, Fisher & Paykel will sell a customized model of Natus' neoBLUE mini(TM) LED Phototherapy Light that mounts onto the Fisher & Paykel CosyCot(R) Infant Warmer. The device will retain the neoBLUE mini(TM) LED Phototherapy brand name under the Fisher & Paykel corporate label.
    Radiant warmers are designed to help maintain a stable temperature for newborns with special care needs. It is common practice for infants to receive phototherapy treatment while they are under radiant warmers. The neoBLUE mini system's unique adjustable arm and pole mount provide clinicians added flexibility in administering phototherapy to those infants under the CosyCot warmer. Additionally, the neoBLUE mini device's special light emitting diodes (LEDs) emit blue light, which is clinically proven most effective in the breakdown of bilirubin and treatment of newborn jaundice(1).
    Natus introduced the neoBLUE mini LED Phototherapy system in late 2004 as a natural extension of the product line. The ability of the neoBLUE mini system to mount onto an existing patient enclosure, such as the CosyCot warmer, helps healthcare facilities manage their limited floor space and storage constraints.
    "We are excited to further expand the market for our neoBLUE mini system through our agreement with Fisher & Paykel," commented Jim Hawkins, President and Chief Executive Officer of Natus. "We believe the neoBLUE mini system is the ideal product offering alongside the CosyCot warmer. It not only integrates well with the radiant warmer, but also helps our customers comply with recent American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines for phototherapy(2).
    The 2004 AAP guidelines validated the efficacy of high intensity blue light for the treatment of newborn jaundice. The neoBLUE mini system allows us the opportunity to provide our blue LED technology in a size, configuration, and price point that hospitals can purchase for each radiant warmer within their facility," added Hawkins.
    Additional information about Fisher & Paykel Healthcare and the CosyCot warmer can be found at www.fphcare.com.

    About Natus

    Natus develops, manufactures, and markets products for the detection, treatment, monitoring, and tracking of common disorders in newborns and children. Natus products are marketed under well-recognized brand names such as ALGO(R), Neometrics(TM), Echo-Screen(R), and neoBLUE(TM). Headquartered in San Carlos, California, Natus markets and sells its products worldwide through a direct sales force in the U.S. and the U.K., and through distributors in over 50 other countries. Additional information about Natus Medical can be found at www.natus.com.

    References

    (1) Vreman HJ, et al. Light-emitting diodes: a novel light source for phototherapy. Pediatric Research. 1998; 44(5):804-809.
    (2) Subcommittee on Hyperbilirubinemia. American Academy of Pediatrics clinical practice guideline: Management of hyperbilirubinemia in the newborn infant 35 or more weeks of gestation. Pediatrics. 2004; 114(1):297-316.

    This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, particularly statements regarding the expectations, beliefs, plans, intentions and strategies of Natus. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the benefit Natus may realize through the private label agreement with Fisher & Paykel and the potential to expand the market for the neoBLUE mini system. These statements relate to future events or Natus' future financial performance or results, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are only predictions and the actual events or results may differ materially. Natus cannot provide any assurance that its future results or the results implied by the forward-looking statements will meet expectations. The results could differ materially due to a number of factors, including the effects of competition, the demand for our products and services, our ability to control costs, and risks associated with integration of acquired businesses. Natus disclaims any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement.

    More information about potential risk factors that could affect the business and financial results of Natus is included in Natus' annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, and its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and from time to time in other reports filed by Natus with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

    Natus(R), AABR(R), AOAE(R), ALGO(R), ALGO DataBook(R), 70/40(R), Cochlea-Scan(R), Echo-Screen(R), Ear Couplers(R), Flexicoupler(R), Jelly Tab(R), Jelly Button(R), and MiniMuffs(R) are registered trademarks of Natus. Convert2Natus(TM), DataLink(TM), EchoLink(TM), neoBLUE(TM), Natus Elite(TM), neoBLUE mini(TM), Neometrics(TM), Metabolic Screening Database System (MSDS)(TM), Case Management System (CMS)(TM), Voice Response System (VRS)(TM), Web Electronic Birth Page (Web-EBP)(TM), and Accuscreen(TM) are non-registered trademarks of Natus. Solutions for Newborn Care(SM) is a non-registered service mark of Natus.

    CosyCot(R) is a trademark of Fisher & Paykel Healthcare.

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CONTACT: Natus Medical Inc. Ken Traverso, 650-802-0400 www.natus.com

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MEDICAL DEVICES MEDICAL CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD PRODUCT SOURCE: Natus Medical Incorporated

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