Nipro Announces Acquisition of Cardiopulmonary System-related Business Segment from Edwards Lifesciences Brazil-based Affiliate.

Tokyo, Japan, Aug 9, 2006 - (JCN Newswire) - Nipro Corporation (TSE: 8086) is please to announce that it will acquire business operations relating to cardiopulmonary systems from Edwards Lifesciences Comercio e Industria de Produtos Medico-Ciurgicos Ltda. (hereinafter referred to as "EL"), the Brazil-based affiliate of Edwards Lifesciences.

Since acquiring and taking over the oxygenator-related business segment from Dainippon Ink & Chemicals, Inc. in April of last year, Nipro Group has embarked upon business endeavors in this field. Heart-lung systems can be classified into two categories, depending on purpose and application type. The first category consists of cardiopulmonary systems, employed for extracorporeal oxygenation and blood circulation during heart and cardiothoracic surgery; products in the other category are circulatory and ventricular assist devices designed for incorporation into the patient's body to complement cardioventricular functions.

The business segment that Nipro Group has decided to acquire on this occasion specializes in products in the first category, or cardiopulmonary systems, which have recently witnessed strong demand from various countries around the world, where they are currently supplied to approximately 40 countries.

EL is actively involved not only in the manufacture of cardiopulmonary systems, but also in producing, supplying and distributing a wide variety of other peripheral products. Acquiring the aforementioned business segment will afford Nipro Group access to EL's extensive array of cardiopulmonary systems and other related products, together with their established sales channels. As such, Nipro Group decided on acquisition, with a view to further accelerating development of the Group's cardiopulmonary system-related business on a global scale.

Nipro Medical Ltda., Nipro Corporation's subsidiary with business presence in Brazil, will purchase 100% of the EL shares and take over any business interests, rights and obligations that the company may have in connection with its cardiopulmonary system-related business segment. As a result of such acquisition, EL will become a 100% subsidiary of Nipro Medical Ltda. However, given the fact that such investment may depend on any outcomes arising from the ongoing negotiations between the two companies, the relevant acquisition date has yet to be fixed.

Outline of Edwards Lifesciences, Brazil-based Affiliate

Company Name:      Edwards Lifesciences Comercio e Industria de
                   Produtos Medico-Ciurgicos Ltda
Representative:    Fernando Jorio Rodriguez
Principal address: 2580 Avenida Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo
Established:       1992
Main business:     Manufacture, sale, marketing and distribution of medical
                   equipment and devices (particularly related to heart-lung
                   systems)

About Nipro Corporation

Nipro Corporation was established in 1954 as the exclusive agent in western Japan for Nippon Electric Glass Co.,Ltd., and began sales of glass tubes for use in the production of ampoules and pharmaceutical bottles. Nipro has continually expanded and is involved in the medicals, pharmaceuticals, glass and materials, and it's artificial kidneys and various disposable medical devices have created new innovations in the medical field. Nipro currently has five major manufacturing bases around the world centered in Europe,North and South America, and Asia. Nipro is actively involved in research related to new medical technologies in the fields of transplantation, replacement and regeneration of internal organs and tissue.

Source: Nipro Corporation

Contact:

For Cardiopulmonary Systems and Related Products:
Marketing Department,
International Division
Phone: [phone]

For News Release:
Public Relations
Phone: [phone]

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