NxStage System One Patients Join Patient Advocacy Groups on Capitol Hill

LAWRENCE, Mass., Oct. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- NxStage^® Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXTM), a leading manufacturer of innovative dialysis products, today applauded the efforts of its home hemodialysis patients together with the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and Dialysis Patient Citizens (DPC), in advocating for improvements in the quality of care for end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with lawmakers.  

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NxStage home hemodialysis patients recently joined a delegation of patient advocates for a series of congressional briefings and meetings in Washington, D.C. Patients stressed the need for important policy changes including the extension of immunosuppressive drug coverage for transplant patients, improved access to more frequent home hemodialysis, and other policies impacting dialysis patients in the U.S.

"These meetings are important opportunities to engage with policymakers and share first-hand the unique challenges dialysis patients face," said Vanessa Evans, Dialysis Patient Citizens member and NxStage home hemodialysis patient. "I feel fortunate to have access to more frequent home dialysis therapy, which is the best option for me and my lifestyle, but there is much to be done to improve education on treatment options and healthcare policy surrounding kidney disease and we look forward to continuing to advocate for the dialysis community."  

"NxStage patients and these advocacy groups are important champions of quality care for dialysis patients," said Jeffrey H. Burbank, chief executive officer of NxStage Medical, Inc. "We commend their continuing efforts to expand access to therapies that can lead to improved quality of life, better health outcomes and associated lower costs for all dialysis patients."

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.

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 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. All forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond NxStage's control, which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance or achievements including market acceptance and demand for NxStage's System One, growth in home hemodialysis, and certain other factors that may affect future operating results and which are detailed in NxStage's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including Quarterly Report on Form 10Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011. In addition, the statements in this press release represent NxStage's expectations and beliefs as of the date of this press release. NxStage anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause these expectations and beliefs to change. However, while NxStage may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, it specifically disclaims any obligation to do so, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing NxStage's expectations or beliefs as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

Media Contacts:
Kristen Sheppard, Esq.
Vice President, Investor Relations
NxStage Medical, Inc.
[email protected]
978-332-5923

SOURCE NxStage Medical, Inc.