Previously, the largest drug-eluting stent system size available was 4.0mm, which limited clinicians' options for treating patients with large vessels. The launch of Boston Scientific's three large vessel TAXUS stent systems completes its line of sizes available in Europe and international markets, making it the first company to offer a full range of stent sizes.
"With CE Mark approval for large vessel sizes, we are now able to provide physicians a full complement of drug-eluting stent sizes featuring the safety, efficacy and outstanding deliverability of the TAXUS system," said Paul LaViolette, Boston Scientific Chief Operating Officer. "We are pleased that our ground-breaking technology is now available to the broadest possible patient population, addressing the substantial unmet need of those suffering from coronary artery disease who happen to have large vessels."
The TAXUS stent system is the global market leader in drug-eluting stent systems. The TAXUS system received CE Mark in Europe in January 2003 and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in March 2004. The Company expects to receive FDA approval for its large vessel TAXUS stent sizes in the first quarter of 2006. In January 2005, the Company announced that it had launched its TAXUS® Liberté™ paclitaxel-eluting stent system in 18 countries. The TAXUS Liberté system features the Company's next-generation Liberté coronary stent. The Company plans to launch the TAXUS Liberté system in Europe later this year and in the United States next year, subject to regulatory approval.
Boston Scientific is a worldwide developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices whose products are used in a broad range of interventional medical specialties. For more information, please visit: www.bostonscientific.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements. The Company wishes to caution the reader of this press release that actual results may differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements and may be adversely affected by, among other things, the regulatory process, competitive offerings, intellectual property, litigation, operational improvements, and other factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.