MARLBOROUGH, Mass. and NAGOYA, Japan, Aug. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) and ASAHI INTECC (Securities Code 7747, Second Section, Tokyo and Nagoya Stock Exchange) have formalized plans to develop a new, differentiated fractional flow reserve (FFR) wire. The joint project focuses on creating a device intended to improve handling compared to existing FFR wires.
The FFR market is an emerging field in interventional cardiology that exceeds $250 million worldwide and is experiencing a double digit growth rate. FFR guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is cost effective and also reduces one-year major adverse cardiac events (MACE) rates. The jointly developed FFR wire will be designed for use with the Boston Scientific POLARIS™ Multi-Modality Imaging System.
The companies have also agreed to collaborate on key enhancements to the Boston Scientific RotaWire™ Atherectomy Guidewire. ASAHI INTECC will provide components for the new RotaWire which is designed by Boston Scientific to provide improved control and handling. The RotaWire is a unique 0.009" wire that is used within the Boston Scientific market leading Rotablator™ Rotational Atherectomy System to treat calcified lesions in coronary arteries.
The introduction of the components manufactured by ASAHI INTECC to advance the RotaWire Atherectomy Guidewire is further evidence of the Boston Scientific commitment to improving products used in the treatment of complex coronary disease.
"We expect our collaboration with ASAHI INTECC to help improve care for patients with coronary artery disease and strengthen our interventional cardiology portfolio," said Kevin Ballinger, president, Interventional Cardiology, Boston Scientific. "The ASAHI INTECC expertise in guidewire technology is unparalleled. By leveraging the strengths of our technologies, we have the opportunity to create truly differentiated products."
"Boston Scientific has advanced sensor and atherectomy technologies. By combining these technologies with our expertise in wires and components, we believe the manipulability of these products will improve dramatically," said Masahiko Miyata, president and chief executive officer, ASAHI INTECC. "Through our collaboration with Boston Scientific, we are confident that we will be able to help improve outcomes for patients."
ASAHI INTECC specializes in wire drawing, wire forming, torque transmission, and coating processes for percutaneous transluminal coronary angiography (PTCA) guidewires.
Boston Scientific anticipates commercializing both specialty wires in 2015.
About ASAHI INTECC
ASAHI INTECC develops, manufactures and sells original brand guidewires and catheters used in less invasive cardiovascular, peripheral vascular, abdominal vascular and neurovascular procedures, as well as original equipment manufacturer (OEM) products and medical components. The original brand PTCA guidewires have top market share in Japan. In the industrial device field, ASAHI INTECC supplies ultrafine stainless wire rope used in a wide range of applications such as office automation equipment and automobiles. ASAHI INTECC identifies its mission as continuing to provide the world market with its "Only One" technology and "Number One" product for less invasive procedures to improve patients' quality of life.
About Boston Scientific
Boston Scientific transforms lives through innovative medical solutions that improve the health of patients around the world. As a global medical technology leader for more than 30 years, we advance science for life by providing a broad range of high performance solutions that address unmet patient needs and reduce the cost of healthcare. For more information, visit www.bostonscientific.com and connect on Twitter and Facebook.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "anticipate," "expect," "project," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "intend" and similar words. These forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and estimates using information available to us at the time and are not intended to be guarantees of future events or performance. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding our collaboration with ASAHI INTECC, research initiatives, product development and enhancements, markets for our products, our business plans, our technology, product performance and impact, and competitive offerings. If our underlying assumptions turn out to be incorrect, or if certain risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. These factors, in some cases, have affected and in the future (together with other factors) could affect our ability to implement our business strategy and may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements expressed in this press release. As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements.
Factors that may cause such differences include, among other things: future economic, competitive, reimbursement and regulatory conditions; new product introductions; demographic trends; intellectual property; litigation; financial market conditions; and future business decisions made by us and our competitors. All of these factors are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of them are beyond our control. For a further list and description of these and other important risks and uncertainties that may affect our future operations, see Part I, Item 1A – Risk Factors in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we may update in Part II, Item 1A – Risk Factors in Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q we have filed or will file hereafter. We disclaim any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or in events, conditions or circumstances on which those expectations may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. This cautionary statement is applicable to all forward-looking statements contained in this document.
CONTACT:
Media: Ryan Davenport
Global Media Relations
Boston Scientific Corporation
763-494-2664 (office)
media@bsci.com
Investors: Susie Lisa, CFA
Investor Relations
Boston Scientific Corporation
508-683-5565 office)
investor_relations@bsci.com
ASAHI INTECC: Yoshinori Terai
ASAHI INTECC USA Inc.
949-756-8252 (office)
customersupport@asahi-intecc.com
SOURCE Boston Scientific Corporation