NxStage Applauds Journal Article Urging Greater Use of Home Hemodialysis and Removal of Barriers that Deny Patients Access to Life-Altering Treatment Option

LAWRENCE, Mass., Oct. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- NxStage® Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXTM), a leading manufacturer of innovative dialysis products, today commented on a review article published on October 4 in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN) in which leading nephrologists advocate for broadened access to home hemodialysis based on its proven benefits and successful use by thousands of patients. Within the paper, "How to Overcome Barriers and Establish a Successful Home HD Program," the authors also recognize the contribution of the NxStage System One™, the world's first and only truly portable hemodialysis machine, in making home hemodialysis a viable option for patients as a result of its simplicity and clinical efficacy.

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The CJASN paper states that home hemodialysis has been successfully used by thousands of patients and, importantly, that it should be an available therapy option to everyone on, or initiating, dialysis.  It summarizes the key benefits of the therapy, including potential for improved dialysis quality, improved quality of life, increased patient independence and employment potential, and a potential cost savings compared to traditional in-center dialysis. Access barriers identified by the authors include, among others, lack of patient awareness and inadequate payment to providers for home hemodialysis training.

"More frequent home hemodialysis is a life-changing therapy, and all patients deserve access to its benefits," said Joe Turk, President, North America, NxStage Medical, Inc. "This report not only underscores the clinical and quality of life benefits provided by home hemodialysis, but also offers clear direction to improve access.  As the authors state, inadequate Medicare payment for home hemodialysis training is a significant barrier to this therapy that must be addressed. NxStage, along with others in the dialysis community, urge the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to correct this inequity and give all patients fair and appropriate access to the therapy."

The paper is available to view online on the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology's website.

About the NxStage System One

The NxStage System One is the first and only truly portable hemodialysis system cleared for home use by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Its simplicity and revolutionary size (just over a foot tall) are intended to allow convenient use in patients' homes and give patients the freedom to travel with their therapy.  When combined with the NxStage Pureflow SL Dialysis Preparation System, patients are able to further simplify, using ordinary tap water to create dialysis fluid on demand.  Unlike conventional hemodialysis systems, the System One requires no special infrastructure to operate. Under the guidance of their physician, patients can use the NxStage System One, with their trained partners, where, how and when it best meets their needs, at home or on vacation. http://www.nxstage.com/.

About NxStage Medical

NxStage Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq:NXTM) is a medical device company, headquartered in Lawrence, Massachusetts, USA, that develops, manufactures and markets innovative systems for the treatment of end-stage renal disease, or ESRD, and acute kidney failure. NxStage is leading the development of the home hemodialysis market in the US with the only portable hemodialysis machine, the System One, cleared for home use by the FDA. For more information on NxStage and its products, please visit the company's website at http://www.nxstage.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements contained in this release that are not clearly historical in nature are forward-looking, and the words "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "estimate," "plan," and similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors including those that are discussed in NxStage's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012. NxStage is under no obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Kristen K. Sheppard, Esq.
VP, Investor Relations
[email protected]

SOURCE NxStage Medical, Inc.