"Advanced emphysema patients are often in poor physical condition,struggling with each breath," said Ali Musani, MD, FCCP, principalinvestigator of the study at National Jewish. "If patients can breatheeasier it is likely to improve their quality of life."

During the airway bypass procedure, new openings are created in the airwaywall connecting the damaged lung tissue to the natural airway. Thesepathways are supported and kept open by Exhale® Drug-Eluting Stents --manufactured by Broncus Technologies, Inc.

"Airway bypass is groundbreaking because right now it is the only treatmentbeing studied to help emphysema patients whose disease has destroyed tissuethroughout the lung," said Dr. Musani. "If successful this minimallyinvasive procedure would help those who would not otherwise be consideredfor or benefit from lung volume reduction surgery."

Emphysema, a component of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), isa chronic, progressive and irreversible lung disease characterized by thedestruction of lung tissue. The loss of the lungs' natural elasticity andthe collapse of airways in the lung combine to make exhalation ineffective,leaving emphysema sufferers with hyperinflation because they are unable toget air out of their lungs. Breathing becomes inefficient and patients haveto work very hard just to breathe.

National Jewish is currently recruiting patients for the EASE trial. Thestudy will last from 15 months to 5 years, depending if the patient israndomized to the control or the treatment group. During the airway bypassprocedure physicians will use a Doppler probe inserted through thebronchoscope to identify a site in the airway that is away from bloodvessels. A special needle is then used to make a small opening and anExhale Drug-Eluting Stent is placed in the passageway to keep it open. Theprocedure involves placing up to six drug-eluting stents.

Although this procedure is still under clinical investigation, feasibilitydata suggest it may hold promise for patients with emphysema. Results fromthe feasibility study were published in the October 2007 issue of theJournal of Throacic and Cardiovascular Surgery. Positive results included astatistically significant reduction in the amount of air trapped in thelungs and an improvement in breathing for patients at six months after theairway bypass procedure.

"Given that emphysema, which permanently destroys lung function, is such adevastating disease, any potential new treatment option could offersubstantial relief to the millions who suffer," said Dr. Musani.

About National Jewish Health

National Jewish Health is known worldwide for treatment of patients withrespiratory, immune and related disorders, and for groundbreaking medicalresearch. Founded in 1899 as a nonprofit hospital, National Jewish providesthe best integrated and innovative care for patients and their families;seeks to understand and find cures for the diseases we research;and educates and trains the next generation of healthcare professionals tobe leaders in medicine and science. We pursue this vision by pioneeringindividualized medicine programs which embrace the paradigm shift fromreactive medicine to proactive, personalized healthcare. For 10 consecutiveyears, U.S. News & World Report has ranked National Jewish the No. 1respiratory hospital in the nation. Scholarly publisher Thomson Scientifichas ranked National Jewish among the 25 most influential researchinstitutions in the world in its areas of focus. Further information can befound by visiting www.nationaljewish.org.

About Broncus Technologies, Inc.

Broncus Technologies, Inc. is helping people breathe easier by developingbronchoscopic interventions for the treatment of chronic lung diseases.Founded in 1997, Broncus Technologies has developed the Exhale®Drug-Eluting Stent for use in the airway bypass procedure, aminimally-invasive procedure to treat emphysema. Airway bypass creates newpathways in the lung for air to escape and may potentially improve thebreathing abilities of patients with emphysema. Broncus Technologies iscurrently conducting the pivotal EASE Trial to evaluate the safety andefficacy of airway bypass in the treatment of advanced widespreademphysema. For more information visit www.broncus.com.