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Sleep Day: Pressure Sensors from Berlin Save Lives Every Night

Market researchers anticipate that the global market for medical ventilators will reach $1 billion by 2021. In ventilator systems, the finely tuned pressure sensors from First Sensor ensure a safe night's sleep for patients with conditions such as sleep apnea.

Experts estimate that 10% of snorers suffer from sleep apnea, a life-threatening condition. With this condition, breathing stops intermittently during the night. Those affected find that they feel tired during the day as a result, and often suffer from secondary complications. Studies have even shown that the condition can reduce life expectancy by up to eight years. "If patients wear sleep apnea therapy devices at night, mild pressure can prevent the airway from closing and therefore the associated pauses in breathing. The integrated sensors ensure a safe night's sleep," explained Dr. Dirk Rothweiler, CEO of First Sensor AG, to mark Sleep Day on June 21. The company develops and produces highly sensitive pressure sensors, which can detect even the smallest interruptions to breathing and help to equalize pressure quickly and comfortably. Sleep apnea occurs in approximately 800,000 people in Germany alone.

Around the world, many patients visiting hospitals suffer from respiratory diseases. In Europe, they make up roughly 7% of annual hospital admissions. In Germany, artificial respiration was administered to 412,000 people in intensive care units alone in 2016 - an increase of 86,000 on the previous year. According to estimates by RnR Market Research, the global market for medical ventilators is expected to grow from $690.8 million in 2016 to $1,012.3 in 2021. "We assist our customers in our role as a strategic partner in the development of innovative ventilation solutions. There is currently rising demand on the market for mobile ventilators. This is driven by an aging population and the needs of patients for comfort and quality of life alongside the best possible medical care. Our products put us in an ideal place in this growth market," commented CFO Dr. Mathias Gollwitzer.

Last year, First Sensor recorded particularly strong growth in the medical target market. Sales rose by 29.2% year-on-year to EUR30.7 million. In the field of breathing and respiration, the company generated approximately EUR6 million, accounting for almost 20% of medical sales, and supplies customers including medical technology manufacturers such as Fritz Stephan GmbH with standard products and customized solutions. As one of the world's leading developers and manufacturers of ventilator and anesthesia systems, Fritz Stephan uses differential pressure sensors from First Sensor for its EVE mobile ventilator, which can be used to supply patients with air from the ambulance to the intensive care unit without any need to switch equipment.

About First Sensor AG
In the growth market of sensor systems, First Sensor develops and produces standard products and customer-specific solutions for the ever-increasing number of applications in the industrial, medical, and mobility target markets. Based on innovative technology platforms, we develop products such as chips, components, sensors, and entire sensor systems. Trends such as Industry 4.0, autonomous driving, and the miniaturization of medical technology will drive our growth extremely rapidly in the future. First Sensor was founded in Berlin 25 years ago and has been listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (SIS) since 1999 [Prime Standard Ι WKN: 720190 Ι ISIN: DE0007201907 Ι SIS]. For more details on First Sensor, please visit www.first-sensor.com.

Disclaimer
Statements in this Corporate News relating to future developments are based on a prudent estimate of future events. Actual events may deviate from planned events, as they depend on a large number of market and economic factors, some of which are outside of the company's control.

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