AngioDynamics Announces Distribution Agreement With Nipro Medical Corporation For The Aqualiner Hydrophilic Guidewire

July 31, 2003 at 12:00 AM EDT
AngioDynamics Announces Distribution Agreement With Nipro Medical Corporation For The Aqualiner Hydrophilic Guidewire

Queensbury, NY; July 31, 2003 – AngioDynamics, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of E-Z-EM, Inc., (AMEX: EZM) today announced that it has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with Nipro Medical Corporation for the AquaLinerä hydrophilic Ni-Ti alloy guidewire. Nipro Medical Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nipro Corporation of Osaka, Japan (Tokyo Premium Exchange: Nipro – 8086), is a leading manufacturer and research developer of innovative medical technology. Under the terms of the 5-year agreement, AngioDynamics will have exclusive distribution rights within the United States. The agreement was executed on June 23, 2003. AngioDynamics expects to launch the AquaLiner guidewire in the U.S. before the end of the 2003 calendar year.



The AquaLiner hydrophilic Ni-Ti alloy guidewire has a superior hydrophilic coating which allows easier guidewire placement in endovascular procedures. The innovative coating reduces friction when the guidewire comes into contact with fluids. This feature allows a physician to move the guidewire through vessels and catheters with greater ease.

Commenting on the announcement, Luis Candelario, President of Nipro Medical Corporation, said, “This agreement combines Nipro Medical's capability in high-quality medical device manufacturing with AngioDynamics' reputation as a proven innovator and marketer of interventional radiology products.”

Commenting for AngioDynamics, Eamonn P. Hobbs, President and CEO, said, “The AquaLiner hydrophilic guidewire fits strategically within the AngioDynamics product portfolio, and is a perfect complement to our broad line of innovative products for the interventional radiologist. We are pleased to be working with Nipro Medical to bring this important product to the American market.”

For additional information on the AquaLiner hydrophilic Ni-Ti alloy guidewire, please contact Michelle Mechaley at 1-800-772-6446, ext. 341, Email: mmechaley@angiodynamics.com or visit the AngioDynamics web site at www.angiodynamics.com.

About E-Z-EM

E-Z-EM, Inc. (www.ezem.com) is a leading supplier of products used by radiologists, gastroenterologists and speech language pathologists for the diagnostic imaging of diseases and disorders of the GI tract, ranging from swallowing disorders (dysphagia) to colorectal cancers. E-Z-EM also is a third-party contract manufacturer of diagnostic contrast media, pharmaceuticals, non-prescription healthcare products, and defense decontaminants.

About Nipro Medical Corporation

Nipro Medical Corporation (www.nipro.com) is a fully owned subsidiary of Nipro Corporation of Osaka, Japan. Nipro Medical Corporation imports and distributes in the Americas the medical and disposable devices manufactured by its parent company in Japan. For additional information on Nipro Medical Corporation, please contact Philip Stocton, National Sales Manager, at 1-888-647-7698, ext. 239, Email: phils@nipromed.com or visit the Nipro web site at www.nipro.com.

About AngioDynamics

AngioDynamics, Inc. (www.angiodynamics.com) is a leading supplier of products used by interventional radiologists and other physicians for the minimally invasive diagnosis and therapeutic treatment of peripheral vascular disease..

The statements made in this document contain certain forward looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Words such as “expects”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “believes”, “seeks”, “estimates,” or variations of such words and similar expressions, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that actual events or results may differ from the Company's expectations. In addition to the matters described above, the ability of the Company to develop its products, future actions by the FDA or other regulatory agencies, results of pending or future clinical trials, overall economic conditions, general market conditions, market acceptance, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, the effects on pricing from Group Purchasing Organizations, competition, including alternative procedures which continue to replace traditional fluoroscopic procedures, as well as the risk factors listed from time to time in the SEC filings of E Z EM, Inc., including but not limited to its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 31, 2002, as well as its Annual Report on Form 10 K for the year ended June 1, 2002, may affect the actual results achieved by the Company.