Immersion Expands International Business

Immersion P/R: it's somehow interesting that Immersion sued Simbionix a few months ago...

( SAN JOSE, Calif., Apr 16, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Immersion Corporation (NASDAQ:IMMR), a leading developer and licensor of touch feedback technology, announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary, Immersion Medical, Inc, filed a lawsuit for patent infringement in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas against Mentice AB, Mentice SA, Simbionix USA Corp., and Simbionix Ltd. The complaint alleges that each of the defendants infringe claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 6,106,301; 5,821,920; 6,323,837; and 5,844,392, which are owned by Immersion Medical, Inc. The complaint seeks damages and injunctive relief)

Appoints David Barkay Vice President and General Manager, International for its Medical Business

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Immersion Corporation (NASDAQ:IMMR - News), the leading developer and licensor of touch feedback technology (http://www.immersion.com/corporate/), announces its expansion of international presence with increased sales, marketing, and customer support operations for its medical business across Asia, Europe, and South America. Immersion Medical has hired medical simulation industry pioneer David Barkay to lead the global expansion and serve as vice president and general manager, International.

Source: Immersion Corporation
· David Barkay, Vice President and General Manager, International, Immersion Medical, Inc. (Photo: Business Wire). View Multimedia Gallery

“We are already realizing results from our investments as we increase our global reach,” said Clent Richardson, Immersion president and CEO. “Our second quarter 2008 results delivered 60 percent growth in our international medical business over the year ago period. Under David’s leadership, we will staff with the very best people who will focus on generating new business and providing world-class service to customers in our significant markets around the world.”

Immersion Medical’s medical and surgical simulators provide highly realistic environments for education and training of minimally invasive bronchial, cardiac, gastrointestinal, gynecological, and many other procedures. Use of minimally invasive procedures is increasing because they usually entail less trauma, pain, scarring, post-surgical complications, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery times for patients. A high degree of expertise is needed to perform the procedures, and surgical simulators have been found to deliver safe, efficient, and effective training outside of the operating theatre.

“Surgical simulation education and training has been my passion for many years,” said David Barkay. “My goal is to apply Immersion Medical simulators to improve patient care and safety all over the world. Our new international team will focus on developing relationships with healthcare institutions and medical associations as well as on establishing channels to provide excellent customer service and increased revenue growth in these vibrant and growing markets.”

David Barkay is well known for pioneering the use of surgical simulators for the medical community. He is the former president and CEO of Simbionix Corp., the parent of Simbionix Ltd., which he co-founded in 1997. Prior to Simbionix, Barkay was a director of international sales for Applitec Ltd., an Israeli-based start-up specializing in medical video imaging systems. Barkay also spent four years at Micro Tools (a division of ISCAR Ltd.), serving as marketing and sales manager of European countries, and before that he was an officer in the Israeli Defense Forces.