GE, Cardiac Science Sign Defibrillator Distribution Agreement

Automated external defibrillator (AED) maker Cardiac Science has expanded its multiyear strategic distribution agreements with GE Healthcare where GE Healthcare will market Cardiac Science's complete line of Powerheart-brand external defibrillators on an exclusive basis to hospitals in the U.S. and Canada.

The agreements provide GE Healthcare exclusivity in North American hospitals, based on certain annual performance criteria, for Cardiac Science's complete line of defibrillators including Powerheart G3 AEDs, Powerheart CRM and Cardiac Science's new traditional "crash-cart" in-hospital external defibrillator, which is currently pending 510(k) approval by the FDA and is expected to be released for worldwide sale this summer.

In addition, GE also confirmed the assignment of the distribution agreements to the new corporate organization being created by the pending merger transaction between Cardiac Science and Quinton Cardiology Systems.