Ottawa, Canada, July 16, 2008 -- Zarlink Semiconductor Inc. (NYSE/TSX:ZL) today announced that it is shipping production quantities of its ZL70101-based radio module to St. Jude Medical, a leading developer of medical technologies and services that treat cardiac, neurological and chronic pain patients worldwide.

 Zarlink has shipped over 30,000 modules incorporating the Company\'s award-winning ZL70101 radio system-on-a-chip to St. Jude Medical to date. Delivering high data rates, ultra-low power consumption and unique wake-up circuitry, the ZL70101 system-on-a-chip is enabling wireless performance in medical devices that support advanced monitoring, diagnostic and therapeutic applications that may improve patient care and lower healthcare costs. The ZL70101 is the industry\'s first chip designed exclusively to operate in the Medical Implantable Communication Service (MICS) band.

 \"Zarlink\'s innovative MICS technology is helping St. Jude Medical design new medical devices that can improve patient care today,\" said Eric S. Fain, M.D., president of the St. Jude Medical Cardiac Rhythm Management Division. \"We have been working closely with Zarlink throughout the development of its MICS radio chip and module. We anticipate building on our relationship as we refine this technology and develop more advanced products treating a wider range of patient conditions.\" 

St. Jude Medical utilizes a custom MICS radio frequency (RF) module incorporating Zarlink\'s ZL70101 in its advanced cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) platform of products. Zarlink\'s wireless technology enables secure, remote communication between the implanted device and programming equipment in a clinician\'s office or hospital. Wireless communication during the implant procedure and during follow-up visits with the physician, allows for more convenient patient care and device management. 

 \"St. Jude Medical extends congratulations to Zarlink on winning the prestigious EE Times ACE RF/Microwave Product of the Year award for its ZL70101 MICS transceiver radio chip,\" added Dr. Fain. \"This is a confirmation of the broad industry recognition Zarlink\'s medical technologies are receiving.\"

 \"The ZL70101 radio chip for in-body communications is innovative technology that solves key performance challenges for St. Jude Medical and other manufacturers in this growing area of medical telemetry,\" said Steve Swift, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Zarlink\'s Medical Communications product group. \"The ZL70101 was designed and optimized for use in both implanted medical devices and external instruments, including patient home monitors that will provide the ability to monitor patients outside the clinical setting.\"

 For more information on the ZL70101 radio chip, visit: http://www.zarlink.com/cps/rde/xchg/zarlink/hs/82_7916.htm or contact Mr. Jacky Su at Seraphim,Taiwan distributor of Zarlink, tel: 26984540 ext. 216 or email to jackysu@seraphim.com.tw