Apr 28 2010
Volcano Corporation (Nasdaq: VOLC), a leading developer and manufacturer of precision intravascular therapy guidance tools designed to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of coronary and peripheral vascular disease, announced today that it has entered into a distribution agreement with AngioScore for its AngioSculpt® PTCA Scoring Balloon Catheter for coronary indications in Japan. This is the first of what Volcano believes will be many products distributed by Volcano Japan, which now includes more than 50 direct sales representatives.
"Not every lesion or heart blockage is the same," commented Scott Huennekens, President and CEO of Volcano. "Physicians have to make a number of difficult decisions as they build a lesion by lesion treatment strategy for their patients. The first step is to identify which blockages require angioplasty or stenting, or a combination of both, versus medical therapy alone. But once the decision has been made to place a stent, the pre-stent preparation, and the post-stent expansion strategies can differ greatly across lesion types as well. This relationship between Volcano and AngioScore now combines two technologies: Visualization with Volcano's intravascular imaging products to build a lesion specific strategy; and tailored therapy with the AngioSculpt Scoring Balloon Catheter to deliver a targeted treatment for that specific type of lesion. This concept of precision-guided therapy using intravascular imaging has already taken hold in Japan where the technique is used in more than 70% of all PCI procedures. Our distribution of the AngioSculpt device now gives us access to both parts of the equation - imaging and therapy."
The AngioSculpt Scoring Balloon Catheter represents the next generation in angioplasty catheters. Its innovative nitinol element provides unique anti-slipping properties while circumferentially dilating plaque, providing a precise and predictable dilatation across a wide range of lesion types. The AngioSculpt provides the versatility and effectiveness of a new technology together with the simplicity and deliverability of a high-performance balloon catheter.
"We are excited about teaming with Volcano, particularly with the Volcano Japan sales organization," stated Thomas Trotter, President and CEO of AngioScore. "Over the past 18 months, Volcano has built one of the largest direct sales organizations in Japan of any company developing intravascular imaging devices. Importantly, Volcano's leadership in education related to disease progression, and their valued presence in the cath lab, will help make the most of their product portfolio, which now includes the AngioSculpt PTCA Scoring Balloon Catheter."
The exclusive, five-year distribution agreement became effective April 1, 2010. Volcano will distribute the entire line of AngioSculpt PTCA Scoring Balloon Catheters and any new, modified or next generation PTCA products.
"Angiography alone is not enough, and Volcano has a broad distribution platform to support that message," added Huennekens. "Building our direct sales organization in Japan has been a successful strategic initiative over the past 18 months, as our team now includes more than 50 direct sales representatives, who are in the field calling on cath labs every day. Our sales channel, complete with seasoned clinical and regulatory personnel, is well-positioned to bring to market our pipeline of new products and complementary distributed products. We suspect that other companies developing interventional cardiology devices for the Japanese market will not only see the value in our precision guidance tools, but will also consider Volcano as a very viable option for distribution of their products."
Ablation may offer better outcomes than medication for ventricular tachycardia