Breathe Technologies' Non-Invasive Open Ventilation (NIOV™) System Receives Medical Design Award

IRVINE, Calif., May 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Breathe Technologies, Inc. today announced that their Non-Invasive Open Ventilation (NIOV™) System has been awarded a prestigious Medical Design Excellence Award (MDEA).  The NIOV System is an innovative one-pound ventilation system with a proprietary patient interface. It is designed to facilitate ambulation for adult patients with respiratory insufficiency.  It is FDA cleared and is available in select regions through a targeted US launch.

"Breathe is honored to have been selected as a Winner of a 2012 Medical Design Excellence Awards. To be recognized by MDEA underscores the unique and innovative aspects of the Breathe NIOV System. We believe our technology has the potential to allow patients with respiratory insufficiency to experience greater mobility and participation in activities of daily living," said Larry Mastrovich, Breathe Technologies, President and CEO.      
 
The MDEA is the medical device industry's premier design awards competition and is the only awards program that exclusively recognizes contributions and advances in the design of medical products.  Entries were evaluated on the basis of their design and engineering features, including innovative use of materials, user-related functions that improve healthcare delivery and change traditional medical attitudes or practices, features that provide enhanced benefits to the patient, and the ability of the product development team to overcome design and engineering challenges so that the product meets its clinical objectives.  Finalists in each of the competition's ten categories were officially announced in the April issue of Medical Device and Diagnostic Industry magazine, and winners were announced at an awards ceremony held in conjunction with the Medical Design & Manufacturing (MD&M) East conference.

Multiple clinical studies have demonstrated that patients with respiratory insufficiency can benefit from non-invasive ventilation. Existing ventilator technology is too heavy and bulky to practically assist in patient ambulation.  The Breathe NIOV System was designed to fill this void; it is comprised of a one-pound ventilator and a proprietary nasal pillows interface. It is used in conjunction with the patient's existing oxygen supply providing the patient with both augmented ventilation and supplemental oxygen.  "Patients have experienced a very positive clinical response to our NIOV Ventilation System.  It is an honor to also be recognized by industry experts for our design," says Larry Mastrovich, President & CEO.

About Breathe Technologies, Inc.

Breathe Technologies, Inc., located in Irvine, California, is a developer and manufacturer of innovative medical technologies for treating lung diseases. The company was founded in January 2005 with the goal of transforming the lives of people with respiratory insufficiency by producing innovative therapies that have the potential to dramatically improve quality of life. The Breathe Non-Invasive OPEN Ventilation (NIOV™) System, featuring the company's proprietary OPEN-airway platform, is FDA-cleared for use in both the institutional and homecare settings.  The company also has a late stage CPAP development program to address the unmet needs in sleep apnea. Breathe has taken an integrated approach focused on an improved user experience that is supported by its innovative design while providing best in class therapy.  Investors include Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Delphi Ventures, Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation, Synergy Partners International and DAG Ventures. For more information, please visit www.breatheniov.com.

Contact:

Breathe Technologies, Inc., [email protected]

SOURCE Breathe Technologies, Inc.