LiDCO Group plc : LiDCO signs licensing agreement with CNSystems

("LiDCO" or the "Company")

LiDCO signs licensing agreement for non-invasive blood pressure technology with CNSystems Medizintechnik AG

LiDCO Group Plc (AIM:LID), the UK-based hemodynamic monitoring company, announces the signing of a licensing and commercial collaboration agreement with CNSystems Medizintechnik AG (CNSystems), Graz, Austria. This collaboration will provide LiDCO with a continuous non-invasive blood pressure (CNIBP) module that can be integrated with the existing LiDCOrapidmonitor.

This integrated CNIBP module will provide continuous non-invasive blood pressure data from a simple to use dual finger sensor. The technology willbe quick to set up, completely non-invasive and is applicable to the 80% of surgery patients1 who do not have an existing arterial blood pressure catheter. The addition of this technology potentially doubles the number of major surgery patients suitable for fluid and hemodynamic monitoring that could be addressed with the LiDCOrapid. The development is expected to complete in approximately one year and will be funded by LiDCO. The existing base of monitors will be able to use the CNIBP module with a simple software upgrade.

Dr Terry O'Brien, CEO LiDCO Group Plc., stated "LiDCO is committed to the integration of existing technologies into a more convenient to use single multi-parameter platform.  We have previously announced that we will integrate the depth of anesthesia parameter into the LiDCOrapidmonitor.  We are delighted, now, to announce that we will also now add CNSystems continuous non-invasive blood pressure functionality.  This convergence development pathway should bring a significant competitive advantage over older, less comprehensive monitors.

"Advanced fluid monitoring of elective surgery patients has been identified in a recent report from the NHS Improvement and Efficiency Directorate2 as a target for a national drive to move towards full adoption throughout the UK.  There are 800,000 patients a year in the UK who are applicable for such advanced monitoring, but less than 10% are currently monitored.  As detailed in the Directorate's report full adoption would potentially save the NHS up to £400 million per annum.We anticipate the additional functionality will further increase disposable use in both the existing and future installed base of LIDCOrapidmonitors.  Major operations such as colorectal surgery, where use of invasive arterial lines is less common, will become highly suitable candidates for LiDCOrapidmonitoring.  The addition of non-invasive blood pressure monitoring takes the worldwide major surgery market potential to approximately 10.5 million patients per annum3 with a resulting disposable revenue stream of approximately US$1.6 billion per annum."

For CNSystems, CEO Dr Juergen Fortin commented "The cooperation with LiDCO is the logical next step after the successful validation of our continuous non-invasive blood pressure technology CNAP® in critically ill patients.  Analysing data from more than 600 patients in several applications both in anaesthesia and intensive care4, we have demonstrated that our technology is painless, easy-to-use and highly accurate in comparison to invasive arterial blood pressure.  Our finger sensor produces true blood pressure readings, which can now be used for processing further hemodynamic parameters with the LiDCOrapidmonitor.  The cooperation with LiDCO is the move to the high-risk surgery market and to a new business generating recurring revenue streams."

1Data from the USA Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention

2 The NHS Improvement and Efficiency Directorate published its report Innovation, Health and Wealth: accelerating adoption and diffusion in the NHS on 5 December 2011- see

3 Data extrapolated from Pearse et al., Critical Care 2006, 10:R81 (doi:10.1186/cc4928)

4Publications and data available on request from CNSystems -www.cnsystems.at/

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About CNSystems Medizintechnik AG

CNSystems Medizintechnik AG is a privately owned, venture backed company in Graz, Austria, that develops, manufactures and sells equipment for non-invasive, continuous monitoring of blood pressure and other vital parameters. The company has achieved world-wide success with the "Task Force® Monitor", a non-invasive hemodynamic expert system combining continuous non-invasive arterial pressure (CNAP®) technology with impedance cardiography and software for the assessment of autonomic function.

A further development of the CNAP® technology was performed in order to expand the product portfolio with non-invasive, continuous blood pressure monitoring during anesthesia and other medical interventions.CNAP® has been validated in more than 600 patients and provides true blood pressure information with an accuracy comparable to arterial line. CNAP® is currently available as stand-alone device "CNAP® Monitor 500" or as CNAP® OEM-module.

About LiDCO Group Plc

LiDCO is a supplier of minimally invasive hemodynamic equipment to hospitals, to monitor the amount of blood flowing around the body and ensure that vital organs are adequately oxygenated. LiDCO's products facilitate the application of hemodynamic optimization protocols for high-risk patients in both critical care units and in the operating theatre.

Increasingly clinical studies are showing that the optimization of patients' hemodynamic status in high-risk patients produces better outcomes and reduced hospital stay.  LiDCO's computer-based technology, developed at St Thomas' Hospital in London, has been shown to significantly reduce morbidity and complications, length of stay and overall costs associated with major surgery.

Key Products:

All LiDCO monitors use single-patient disposables (sensors or smartcards) which provide an ongoing revenue stream. 

Clinical Validation & Education

LiDCO has been selected as the sole technology for two ongoing multi-centre government-funded studies in the UK and US. OPTIMISE is sponsored by the UK Government for optimizing cardiovascular management in high-risk abdominal surgery patients and in the US, MOnIToR is a US Government sponsored transplantation donor organ optimization study. The Company has also developed a hemodynamic workshop atSt George's Hospital, London.

LiDCO Distribution Network:

LiDCO's strategy is to sell directly to hospitals in the UK, and through a network of specialty critical care and anesthesia distributors in the rest of the world.

LiDCO's sales office is in Cambridge, its manufacturing facility and headquarters are in London and its shares are traded on AIM..