Gambro opens new production plant for synthetic membrane dialyzers

Gambro opens new production plant for synthetic membrane dialyzers Stockholm, Sweden, October 24, 2001 - Gambro AB (Stockholmsbörsen: GAMBaST, GAMBbST), a leading international medical technology and healthcare company, today announced that it has opened a new production plant for synthetic membrane dialyzers in Hechingen, Germany. The new plant enables Gambro to increase its existing production capacity of synthetic membrane dialyzers by 5 million units annually. The site in Hechingen is Gambro's Center of Excellence for Dialyzers and currently manufactures dialyzers to both external customers and Gambro Healthcare clinics worldwide. "This is a milestone for Gambro. The increased production capacity supports Gambro's strategy to further develop its globally strong position in hemodialysis, where synthetic membrane dialyzers play an increasingly important part," says Alain Granger, President of Gambro Renal Products. "It will enable us to produce large volumes of high performance dialyzers in a flexible way and at lower cost." The demand for Gambro's advanced synthetic membrane dialyzers is increasing substantially. To meet this demand, Gambro increased its production capacity by 1.5 million units in 2000 and capacity is now increased by an additional 5 million in the new plant. In April this year Gambro announced that it is substantially increasing its production capacity of synthetic membrane dialyzers at its sites in Hechingen, Germany and Meyzieu, France. The investment will enable Gambro to increase its capacity by close to 8 million units per year. The products from this investment will reach the market in 2003. The Polyflux dialyzer Gambro's synthetic membrane dialyzer, Polyflux, is an advanced filter for hemodialysis and convective treatments where the selection of membrane structure and polymer materials is of prime importance. The structural arrangement of the Polyamide S membrane with its three- layer design and micro domain surface resembles that of nature's own biological membrane. This means that the immune system and coagulation cascade are left practically unaffected by blood/membrane contact. Polyflux exhibits excellent treatment results. Clinical experience provides evidence of significant treatment benefits that suggest a reduced need for medication and hospital care, increased overall patient well-being and improved quality of life. Gambro has been a pioneer in synthetic dialyzers and has built one process for different functional filter requirements with one basic polymer blend on the same process equipment. A wide range of membrane functions can be produced by phase inversion with one single process and the same raw material. In combination with other platform technologies this will enable production of large volumes of filters with high and flexible performance, excellent biocompatibility and lower cost. Gambro Renal Products The business area Gambro Renal Products has revenues of about USD 940 million and includes products and services for hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis and acute dialysis that are sold under strong brands. Products include filters, dialysis solutions, monitors, bloodlines, and water treatment equipment. Sales include activities in 90 countries, with own sales operations in 30 countries. Manufacturing takes place in 11 countries with product development centers in Germany, Italy, and Sweden. The total number of employees is about 6,500. Gambro Renal Products ranks second in the world in hemodialysis products, fourth in peritoneal dialysis products and is the world leader in renal intensive care products. For further information please contact: Karin Avasalu, Vice President, Corporate Communications, tel. +46-8-613 65 99, +46-70-513 65 99 Pia Irell, Investor Relations Director, Corporate Finance, tel. +46-8- 613 65 91, +46-70-513 65 91 Kevin Smith, President Gambro Inc., Investor Relations US, tel. +1-303 231 4750 ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2001/10/24/20011024BIT00470/bit0001.doc http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2001/10/24/20011024BIT00470/bit0001.pdf