Siemens and the National Kidney Foundation Enter Partnership

DEERFIELD, Ill., April 29, 2009 — Siemens Healthcare (www.siemens.com/diagnostics) donates clinical laboratory instruments and diagnostic tests to the National Kidney Foundation's community outreach program, Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP), to help reduce the number of individuals that develop chronic kidney disease. The program raises awareness in the United States about early detection of kidney disease and screens high-risk individuals at no charge.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is commonly a result of diabetes. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 180 million people worldwide have diabetes. That number is likely to more than double by 2030, primarily due to population growth, aging demographics and unhealthy diet. If kidney disease is identified and treated in its early stages, the two common late-stage kidney disease treatments -- dialysis and kidney transplant -- may be avoided.

"Diagnostic testing is vital to the early detection and effective treatment of kidney disease," commented Donal Quinn, CEO, Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics. "We feel privileged to support the National Kidney Foundation in the delivery of quality diagnostic testing and preventative screening for thousands of people each year at risk for kidney disease."

Siemens is donating 80 Clinitek(R) diagnostic instruments and associated microalbumin urinalysis testing supplies. The company's Clinitek microalbumin test is used to screen for elevated levels of protein in urine, one of the earliest markers of kidney disease. This is a simple test easily completed in community settings where the KEEP program performs screenings at no charge to patients. The Siemens microalbumin test provides an albumin-to-creatinine ratio, which is used by clinicians to help diagnose early stages of kidney disease.

"Most people think of kidney disease as kidney failure when dialysis or transplantation is required. Yet millions of Americans are affected by chronic kidney disease at earlier stages and very few are aware they have it. In fact, the KEEP data shows that only eight percent of participants with evidence of kidney disease knew they had the condition," said Joseph Vassalotti, MD, Chief Medical Officer, National Kidney Foundation and Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. "The partnership with Siemens will enable us to continue to test individuals at risk for CKD through KEEP, boosting awareness, treatment and control of CKD risk factors in communities around the country through early detection."

KEEP is a voluntary, community-based screening program designed to raise awareness about kidney disease among high-risk individuals and provide free testing and educational information. Since its launch in 2000, approximately 125,000 individuals with diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of diabetes, hypertension, or kidney disease have been screened. Nearly one third of the participants showed evidence of having kidney disease.

The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare is the first integrated healthcare company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy, and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services. Siemens Healthcare delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care - from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. Additionally, Siemens Healthcare is the global market leader in innovative hearing instruments. The company employs around 49,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2008 (Sept. 30), Siemens Healthcare reported sales of euro 11.2 billion, orders of euro 11.8 billion, and Sector profit of euro 1.2 billion. Further information can be found by visiting http://www.siemens.com/healthcare.

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) is dedicated to preventing kidney and urinary tract diseases, improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by these diseases and increasing the availability of all organs for transplantation. To learn more about the Kidney Early Evaluation Program or to find local screening information, visit www.kidney.org.

SOURCE Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics