Merge Healthcare Expands to the Russian Medical Imaging Market

MILWAUKEE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Building on a successful distribution agreement established over the past three years, Merge Healthcare (NASDAQ: MRGE), a leading health IT solutions provider, and Rosslyn Medical, a large medical imaging solution provider serving the Russian market, have extended their partnership to expand the portfolio of Merge OEM products available to Rosslyn. This new agreement brings the Russian market access to “zero client” web technologies, PACS applications, and clinical workstations that Rosslyn will integrate into custom solutions for their customers.

Rosslyn Medical has been active in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) for over 16 years, and has steadily grown to become one of the largest distributors of medical equipment in Russia. “Our customers, including private clinics and medical centers, are some of the largest purchasers of medical equipment throughout Russia and the countries of CIS,” explains Leon Zilber, President of Rosslyn Medical. “These customers demand the latest technology, as well as top quality sales and service. Merge Healthcare is well equipped to help us address our current customer needs and play an innovative role in the broader medical market.”

Frost and Sullivan estimates that the Russian medical technology market was worth $2.00 billion in 2007, and, although the country has been affected by the worldwide economic downturn, national initiatives like the 'National Health Program' and project ‘Health’ are providing additional stimulus to equip specialized health centers, hospitals and clinics with advanced medical technology. Russia has built increasing rigor around product testing as a key element in the medical approval process. Rosslyn was originally drawn to Merge because of Merge’s strong quality processes in support of these efforts.

“We have built a solid partnership with Rosslyn Medical and welcome the expanded interest in our OEM products from the Russian market,” says Justin Dearborn, Merge Healthcare CEO. “We have demonstrated our advanced capabilities in providing well documented, high quality solutions, and are expanding the relationship by providing our latest Web and clinical applications. Russian healthcare providers, and ultimately patients, will benefit from these technologies.”

Merge Healthcare Incorporated develops solutions that automate healthcare data and diagnostic workflow to enable a better electronic record of the patient experience, and to enhance product development for health IT, device and pharmaceutical companies. Merge products, ranging from standards-based development toolkits to sophisticated clinical applications, have been used by healthcare providers, vendors and researchers worldwide for over 20 years. Additional information can be found at www.merge.com.

The matters discussed in this news release may include forward-looking statements, which could involve a number of risks and uncertainties. When used in this press release, the words “will”, “believes”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “expects” and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. Except as expressly required by the federal securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update such factors or to publicly announce the results of any of the forward-looking statements.

Source / Distributed by Merge Healthcare

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