HP Partners With Andromed to Market HP STETHOS Electronic Stethoscope

PALO ALTO, CALIF. (March 15) BW HEALTHWIRE -March 15, 1999--Hewlett-Packard Company today announced an agreement with Andromed, Inc. of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, a manufacturer of electronic stethoscopes. The first objective of the agreement is to provide an electronic stethoscope that combines all the features of conventional acoustic stethoscopes with the advances provided by microelectronic technology.

Under the terms of the agreement, HP will sell the HP STETHOS electronic stethoscope, developed by Andromed and its parent company, Theratechnologies, Inc. of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

"HP, which developed and introduced the Rappaport-Sprague stethoscope almost 45 years ago, is an ideal partner to market the HP STETHOS electronic stethoscope," said Maurice Piche, president and chief executive officer of Andromed. "HP's strength in worldwide marketing and distribution, will extend the availability of the HP STETHOS electronic stethoscope to clinicians around the world."

HP will continue to manufacture the HP Rappaport-Sprague stethoscope, still recognized by cardiologists as the gold standard in acoustical stethoscopes.

"Working together, HP and Andromed have introduced the most significant improvements to the acoustic stethoscope," said Jay Mazelsky, general manager of HP's Medical Supplies Division. "HP and Andromed have agreed to work together to continue to advance electronic stethoscopes and the art of auscultation to meet clinicians' needs."

Andromed is a medical device company focused on the development and manufacture of unique medical products with high-technological value. With enhancements to the stethoscope, Andromed and HP's mutual efforts are aimed at improving the quality of healthcare while reducing its cost. About HP's Medical Products Group

HP's Medical Products Group is a worldwide leader of clinical measurement and diagnostic technologies, information solutions, services, support and supplies for the healthcare industry. The group has 5,400 employees and had revenues of more than $1.3 billion in its 1998 fiscal year.

HP leads the world in acute-care patient monitoring, cardiovascular ultrasound imaging and clinical-information systems for critical care, and is at the forefront of new technologies such as point-of-care diagnostics and predictive instruments. HP is a founding member of CCOW and the Andover Working Group. Both organizations focus on developing standards-based interoperability between healthcare applications. Information about HP Medical Products Group can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com/go/medical/. About HP

Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global provider of computing, Internet and intranet solutions, services, communications products and measurement solutions, all of which are recognized for excellence in quality and support. HP has 122,800 employees and had revenue of $47.1 billion in its 1998 fiscal year.

Information about HP, its products and the company's Year 2000 program can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com.

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CONTACT: HP

          Dianne Prendible, 978/659-2985 

dianne_prendible@hp.com

              or 

Rosalind Cuschera, 978/659-4955

          roz_cuschera@hp.com 

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MEDICINE COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS TELECOMMUNICATIONS
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