Siemens Makes Innovation Accessible with Comprehensive Molecular Imaging Solutions


Customer-focused solutions in molecular imaging offer greater long-term value

TORONTO, June 13 -- At the 2009 SNM Annual Meeting in Toronto this week, Siemens (booth #1024) is breaking down barriers to market entry, as well as offering versatile, multipurpose solutions that help physicians provide high quality patient care, and effectively manage healthcare costs. As the healthcare landscape changes within the United States and internationally, Siemens molecular imaging solutions offer options at all purchasing levels. The Biograph(TM) mCT, the world's first molecular CT, will be shown at SNM for the first time.

"Enabling our partners to maintain clinical viability and provide value to the patients they serve is critical to our mission during these challenging economic times. It is, therefore, imperative that we find a way to offer our customers both high-quality solutions and access to advanced technologies," said Michael Reitermann, chief executive officer, Molecular Imaging, Siemens Healthcare. "Though we've recently made some progress in U.S. imaging reimbursement policies, we need to further develop evidence-based data on a global level, so that we can continue to prove the clinical and financial efficacy of molecular imaging technology as a valuable asset to detect, stage and monitor disease."

As part of Siemens Molecular Imaging's commitment to innovation and access, it has recently released several new systems into the PET-CT and SPECT-CT markets that allow facilities with limited budgets, or those under financial constraints, to provide molecular imaging technology to their patients:

o The Biograph mCT, the world's first molecular CT, will be shown at SNM for the first time. It enables facilities to serve both the nuclear medicine and the radiology department with one system. It achieves this duality through the integration of powerful PET and CT technologies, offering High-Definition PET, time-of-flight technology, and CT configurations up to 128 slices. Biograph mCT is ultra-efficient, offering institutions cutting-edge technology, optimum patient care solutions and potential for increased return on investment.

o Siemens Biograph(TM) TruePoint 16-slice PET-CT is the latest addition to the Biograph family of clinical scanners. This affordable and reliable imaging system has high performance capabilities, including HD-PET and routine, 10-minute whole-body imaging. Biograph 16 is also mobile-ready, equipped to maximize on-location patient throughput and serve multiple communities.

o Siemens Symbia® family of SPECT and SPECT-CT scanners is flexible enough to meet the changing needs of any imaging facility. Symbia E, and Symbia S and T are economical yet powerful points of entry into SPECT and SPECT-CT imaging for facilities that currently do not offer molecular imaging or for facilities with a limited budget. Now available with a broad range of specialty diagnostic tools, Symbia systems can be used for oncology, cardiology, neurology, and general imaging purposes, satisfying the needs of most facilities. Symbia S systems limit obsolescence by offering institutions a future-ready system that is field-upgradeable to diagnostic SPECT-CT.

o New solutions in system applications that will be shown at SNM 2009 in Toronto include a new thin-client solution for SPECT systems, Symbia®.net. This new application allows for increased workflow efficiency, ease of use and portability for users.

o PETNET Solutions, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., operates the largest PET radiopharmacy network with more than 52 molecular imaging radiopharmacies and distribution centers at multiple worldwide locations. With a network of radiopharmacies, PETNET guarantees reliable dose delivery to meet the needs of hospitals, clinics, and research facilities. Siemens PETNET operations have strategically expanded to include international locations and to provide SPECT radiopharmaceuticals through an agreement with Covidien Medical Imaging, further developing its PET and SPECT coverage.

As the global economic crisis continues, and the healthcare environment continues to evolve, Siemens is committed to offering the most advantageous and innovative systems at the most cost-efficient price points.

The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare is the first integrated healthcare company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy, and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services. Siemens Healthcare delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care - from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. Additionally, Siemens Healthcare is the global market leader in innovative hearing instruments. The company employs around 49,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2008 (Sept. 30), Siemens Healthcare reported sales of euro 11.2 billion, orders of euro 11.8 billion, and Sector profit of euro 1.2 billion. Further information can be found by visiting http://www.siemens.com/healthcare.

Source: Siemens Healthcare

CONTACT:

Media Relations:

Tom Schaffner,

+1-610-448-1477,

thomas.schaffner@siemens.com

Web Site: http://www.siemens.com/healthcare

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