Cardiac Science Inc and GE Medical Systems Information Technologies, the healthcare IT business of General Electric Company, have signed multi-year strategic OEM, distribution and development agreements, under which GE will market Cardiac Science automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and fully-automatic in-hospital defibrillator-monitors (CRMs) under the GE name in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and other international markets. Under the agreements, Cardiac Science will also develop and manufacture a line of biphasic external defibrillators for exclusive sale by GE on a worldwide basis.

AEDs are portable easy-to-use devices that deliver a life-saving electric defibrillation shock to the heart to halt sudden cardiac arrest -- rapid and chaotic heart activity -- and restore a normal heart rhythm. AEDs are used by medical personnel and first responders such as police, fire and ambulance personnel, and are also being deployed for use in corporations and public places where people gather, play and work.

The private-label AEDs and CRMs, which are expected to begin shipping to GE in the fall of 2003, will be marketed to a wide variety of healthcare providers, including hospitals, physicians, clinics and others in the medical industry.

According to Mike Genau, vice president of Cardiology Systems for GE Medical Systems Information Technologies, the alliance allows GE to better serve cardiac patients in need of immediate care. "The need for automatic external defibrillators -- in public access areas in hospitals and other healthcare provider locations -- is growing significantly. We selected Cardiac Science as a supplier of defibrillation technology based on the quality of its products, as well as their impressive development and manufacturing capabilities. GE Medical Systems' global presence in hospitals, physicians' offices and clinics, combined with world-class products from Cardiac Science, positions us to establish a leadership role in providing AEDs and other defibrillation technologies to healthcare providers and distribution partners."