Viking Systems launches Next Generation 3DHD Visualization System

Viking Systems, Inc. (OTCBB:VKNG) reported today that it officially launched its Next Generation 3DHD Visualization System on October 4, 2010 at the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress (ACS) held October 3-7 in Washington, DC. The Company also announced today its first distribution partners for the new system.

The Company reported a very positive response and reaction to the new 3DHD system. Numerous attendees participated in hands-on demonstrations of the new system. Interactive workstations utilizing the new systems were available in both the Company's and Sony's booths and provided attendees a chance to experience the 3DHD system in a simulated surgical environment. Over 500 potential purchasers from around the world requested follow-up information and may desire demonstrations to be scheduled at their hospitals.

Jed Kennedy, Viking Systems President & CEO stated, "The overwhelming response to our Next Generation System was very gratifying. Surgeon after surgeon praised the product and quickly identified the potential benefits to their surgical procedures in using this system." 

The Company today announced it has entered into distribution agreements for the Next Generation 3DHD system with several distribution partners. The Company has entered into distribution agreements with Surgioscopy, Cunningham Woodland, Inc. and American Surgical, Inc. to cover specific territories within the United States. Combined these distribution partners provide 35 sales representatives covering 31 states within the United States. The Company plans to complete distribution coverage in the U.S. in the coming months.

The Company is pleased to announce that it has entered into a distribution agreement with Guangdong Medical Equipment Industrial Company covering the People's Republic of China with a sales force, through its affiliated partners, of approximately 500 sales representatives and 18 territory managers. Chinese regulations require registration of the new 3DHD system before the product can be sold in that market. The Company plans to work with its Chinese distributor on the required registration. The Company believes the registration process in China typically is in excess of one year.

Additionally, the Company today reported that it has also entered into distribution agreements for the Next Generation 3DHD system with distribution partners covering Italy, France, Korea, and Turkey. As part of the agreements, distributors are required to purchase 3DHD demonstration systems enabling them to present all features of the system in clinical evaluations.   

Jed Kennedy said, "We are extraordinarily pleased with the quality of the distributors we have partnered with in this first phase of our distribution strategy and with the distributors' significant financial commitments to purchase demonstration equipment in order to assure success in their markets." Kennedy went on to say, "Clinical demonstrations in the OR are a key step in the sales process of surgical video systems and our distributor network will be well equipped to successfully demonstrate Viking's 3DHD Surgical Vision System resulting in system sales."

Viking currently has commitments from distributors to purchase 20 Next Generation 3DHD demonstration systems. The company plans to begin shipping the initial demonstration systems during the fourth quarter of 2010. These demonstration systems, which are critical to the sales process and are not intended for resale, are priced at a substantial discount to the distributors' agreed upon regular purchase price for resalable systems.

Dave Shaw, President of Surgioscopy stated, "We are very excited about adding Viking's Next Generation 3DHD system to our product offerings. We believe this product is a real differentiator and will bring great value to surgeons and hospitals."

The Company plans to continue executing its distribution strategy by partnering with committed independent sales partners who already provide complementary laparoscopic instrumentation to the OR and to whom the 3DHD System will provide significant differentiation and a distinct competitive advantage over other laparoscopic instrument providers. "Nearly all laparoscopic procedures are currently performed with a 2D camera," said Jed Kennedy. "We plan to provide the surgeon with high quality 3D vision in a cost effective and flexible format. Performing complex minimally invasive procedures with a 3D vision system has the potential not only to improve the quality of care but also to reduce procedure time and therefore cost of procedures."