JAPAN'S ALOKA SIGNS DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT WITH SONOSITE.

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TOKYO, June 30 Kyodo JBN-AsiaNet - Aloka Co., Ltd., a leading Japanese manufacturer and distributor of ultrasound systems announced today that it has signed a distribution agreement for Japan with SonoSite, Inc. (Nasdaq:SONO), the worldwide leader in high-performance, hand-carried ultrasound.

The agreement names Aloka as SonoSite's exclusive distributor for TITAN(TM), the Company's newest generation of high performance, hand-carried ultrasound systems, for all of Japan's clinical ultrasound markets, including cardiology, abdominal, vascular, Ob/gyn and emergency medicine.

"This agreement brings together two leaders in ultrasound," said Mr. Yoshihiro Yoshikawa, President, Aloka Co. Ltd. "Hand-carried ultrasound is Japan's most rapidly growing ultrasound market.

"Aloka is fully committed to optimizing this major opportunity through this strategic alliance with SonoSite and to bringing the finest hand-carried ultrasound available to Japan's medical practitioners."

"Aloka's history in ultrasound and respected position as a leading technology innovator make this an exciting partnership for SonoSite," said Kevin M. Goodwin, SonoSite President and CEO.

"Our agreement with Aloka is a cornerstone of our strategy to serve the Japanese market by establishing multiple distribution channels through which SonoSite's products can be promoted across a broad clinical spectrum.