Improving Accuracy of Propofol Dosing

Sphere Medical Holding plc

Improving Accuracy of Propofol Dosing

Cambridge, UK, 31 January 2012: Sphere Medical Holding plc (AIM:SPHR.L) ("Sphere Medical" or the "Company"), a leading developer of innovative monitoring and diagnostic products for the critical care setting, announces the publication of two studies that support the utility of real time propofol measurement in routine clinical use.

The first study, carried out by Dr Nick Cowley and Dr Thomas Clutton-Brock at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham UK, demonstrated that the use of Sphere Medical's Pelorus 1000 propofol measurement system has the potential to significantly improve the accuracy of patient dosage when administeringpropofol using target controlled infusion.

This study, entitled "Use of a device to measure blood propofol levels to improve inter-patient bias of propofol target controlled infusion (TCI)" was presented by its authors at the recent UK Society for Intravenous Anaesthesia (SIVA UK) annual scientific meeting.

Sphere Medical is also pleased to announce the publication of a paper titled "Performance Evaluation of a Whole Blood Propofol Analyser" in the online edition of the Journal of Clinical Monitoring and Computing. The authors' conclusion is that "the Pelorus 1000 propofol measurement system fulfils the requirements for measurement of propofol levels in whole blood samples with precision and accuracy suitable for elucidating propofol pharmacokinetics at clinically relevant concentrations."

This article is available to be referenced by clinicians and researchers in studies designed to measure and respond to propofol levels in patients in close to real time.

Commenting on these results, Dr Stuart Hendry, Chief Executive Officer, said: "The Queen Elizabeth Hospital study provides clear evidence that the Pelorus 1000 propofol measurement system could be used to improve the accuracy of propofol dosing using target controlled infusion."

For further information, please contact:

www.spheremedical.com 

Notes for Editors

Sphere Medical is a UK based medical device company completing the development of a range of monitoring and diagnostic products designed to provide significant improvements in patient management in a number of hospital specialities. Sphere Medical's products are expected to allow near real time measurement of blood gases, various electrolytes and drug levels with laboratory accuracy, at the patient's bedside. This information can be used in a wide range of medical applications and is intended to enable faster clinical decision making and consequently to improve the management of patients.

Sphere Medical's two most advanced products, based on its proprietary microanalyser platform technology, are a disposable patient-attached arterial blood analyser for use in the Intensive Care Unit and Operating Room ('Proxima') and a device for continuous blood monitoring in the bypass circuit in patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery ("CPB device"). Sphere Medical has also developed and is selling a device ('Pelorus 1000') that can measure blood levels of the intravenously administered anaesthetic drug, propofol. In each case, these products will ultimately target patients requiring close monitoring and frequent levels of blood testing.

Sphere Medical trades on AIM (AIM:SPHR.L), a market operated by the London Stock Exchange plc. In November 2011, Sphere Medical raised £14m (£12.8m net of expenses) in a placing of ordinary shares.

Sphere Medical employs approximately 50 staff in the areas of research and development, product development, sales and marketing and management and operations at its premises at Harston, Cambridge, UK.