VIASYS Healthcare Inc. Announces the Acquisition of Oxford Instruments

    Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

    CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 1, 2005--VIASYS Healthcare Inc. (NYSE:VAS) announced today that it has acquired the global Medical Division of Oxford Instruments plc, Oxford Instruments Medical, based in Old Woking, U.K., for GBP 24 million (approximately $46.0 million). Oxford Instruments Medical had 2004 global revenues of approximately $57 million.
    "We believe that the Oxford Instruments Medical acquisition represents a significant event in the global neurovascular marketplace," said Lori Cross, Group President of VIASYS NeuroCare. "After the complementary products, installed base, and operations are combined, VIASYS will offer its hospital and physician-office customers the most comprehensive portfolio of single and multi-modality solutions available."
    Oxford Instruments Medical's largest business is neurodiagnostics, primarily electromyography (EMG) equipment and neurosupplies (EMG needles). Oxford Instruments Medical's equipment is both intuitive and innovative, while its patented EMG needle design offers improvements in both clinical performance and patient comfort. The obstetrics and cardiology businesses also bring valuable brand recognition and are backed by a reputation for product quality and technological innovation.
    "This transaction creates an outstanding strategic fit for our customers and provides our employees with excellent career opportunities with an industry leader in medical technology," added Peter Abrahams, Managing Director of Oxford Instruments Medical. "Our customers, patients and employees will benefit significantly from their new association with VIASYS."
    "We believe that VIASYS has become the leading provider of neurodiagnostic systems and supplies. As the industry continues to consolidate, we expect the combined skills of Oxford Instruments Medical and VIASYS to deliver best-in-class multi-modality systems designed to improve outcomes for caregivers and their patients," commented Randy Thurman, Chairman, President and CEO of VIASYS Healthcare Inc. "Furthermore, Oxford Instruments Medical accelerates our strategy of building our leadership position in neurological and respiratory technologies, increasing sales from medical disposables and acquiring products that fit within our worldwide sales, service, and distribution."

    VIASYS Healthcare Inc. is a global, research-based medical technology company focused on respiratory, neurocare and medical and surgical products. VIASYS products are marketed under well-recognized trademarks including among others VMAX(R), LYRA(TM), AVEA(R), VELA(R), NicoletOne(TM), VIKING QUEST(TM), ENDEAVOR(TM) CR, SENSORMEDICS(R), CORPAK(R), GRASON-STADLER(R), BIRD(R), BEAR(R), NICOLET(R), JAEGER(TM), TOENNIES(TM) and EME(R). VIASYS is headquartered in Conshohocken, PA, and its businesses are conducted through its Respiratory Care, NeuroCare, MedSystems and Orthopedics business units. More information can be found at http://www.viasyshealthcare.com

    This news release includes a forward-looking statement within the meaning of the "Safe Harbor" provisions of Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding the neurovascular marketplace. This forward-looking statement is based on current expectations and involves inherent risks and uncertainties, including important factors that could delay, divert, or change the expectations for VIASYS' products and could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from current expectations. These factors include, among other things, market factors, internal research and development initiatives, partnered research and development initiatives, competitive product development, marketing initiatives, governmental regulations and legislation, patent positions and litigation. For further details and a discussion other risks and uncertainties that may change VIASYS' expectations, please see VIASYS' annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 3, 2004, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. VIASYS undertakes no obligation to publicly update this forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

--30--RM/ph*

CONTACT: VIASYS Healthcare Inc., Conshohocken Media Contact: Lori J. Cross, 608-273-5000 lori.cross@viasyshc.com or Investor Contact: Martin P. Galvan, 610-862-0800 marty.galvan@viasyshc.com

KEYWORD: PENNSYLVANIA UNITED KINGDOM INTERNATIONAL EUROPE INDUSTRY KEYWORD: PHARMACEUTICAL BANKING MEDICAL DEVICES MEDICAL MERGERS/ACQ SOURCE: VIASYS Healthcare Inc.

Copyright Business Wire 2005