Sysmex America Wins Costa Rica Government Contract

Ninety-two laboratories to benefit from hematology standardization

Mundelein, IL (July 18, 2006) Sysmex America, Inc. announced today that CAPRIS MEDICA S.A., exclusive Sysmex distributor in the Republic of Costa Rica and El Salvador for 11 years, has won the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social public tender, No. 2003-004, assuring the quality and standardization of hematology laboratory results for 92 Costa Rican laboratories. The four-year government contract was won on technical merit, pricing, ISO certification and local distributor support. The Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social is the social security medical services provider to over 90% of the Costa Rican population. The laboratories represent small and medium clinic laboratories and national and regional hospital laboratories.

Installations of 73 Sysmex XT-1800i and 9 Sysmex KX-21N hematology analyzers will take place in three phases with an anticipated completion date for all laboratories December 2006. CAPRIS will provide training and support for a total of 240 new users. The Sysmex distributor, CAPRIS MEDICA won four out of the five contract category opportunities, leading them to be selected over three other global hematology manufacturers. The kick off ceremony will be celebrated in San Jose, Costa Rica on July 21, 2006 with the presence of the Sysmex Latin America personnel.

About Sysmex
Sysmex America, Inc., the headquarters for Canada, Latin America and the U.S. of Sysmex Corporation (Kobe, Japan), is a world leader in clinical laboratory systemization and solutions, including clinical diagnostics, automation and information systems. Serving customers for over 35 years, Sysmex focuses on extending the boundaries of diagnostic science while providing the management information tools that make a real difference in clinical and operational results for people worldwide. For the support of the well established network of 19 distributors in Latin America, Sysmex has 2 local Marketing and Sales offices located in Miami, Florida, U.S. and Sao Paulo, Brazil, and a reagent production plant in Curitiba, Brazil as well as local personnel in Argentina and Colombia with future plans of expansion in Mexico. For additional information, please visit www.sysmex.com/usa or www.sysmex.com.br.

Contact Information

Tammy Kutz

Manager, Media and Events

Sysmex America, Inc.

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