KCI receives reimbursement approval for use of V.A.C. ATS Therapy System in Japan

Mar 8 2010

Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (NYSE: KCI) today announced it has received reimbursement approval from Japan’s Health Insurance Bureau for use of the innovative V.A.C. ATS^® Therapy System in the country. The approval signifies an important advancement in the company’s plans for market launch in April and follows Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare’s decision in November 2009 to grant final regulatory approval for the product.

“Japan represents a very important and underserved market for advanced wound care”

The decision provides reimbursement coverage to physicians and hospitals for using the V.A.C. ATS^® Therapy System on patients suffering from severe wounds. V.A.C.^® Therapy, a product of KCI’s Active Healing Solutions™ division, promotes wound healing through Negative Pressure Wound Therapy. V.A.C.^® Therapy has treated more than three million patients worldwide and has been clinically proven in more than 20 randomized controlled trials and nearly 500 peer-reviewed journals.

“Japan represents a very important and underserved market for advanced wound care,” said Catherine Burzik, KCI’s president and CEO. “This reimbursement decision serves as a significant milestone as we plan for market launch and first patient placements in early April. We are pleased that the Japanese government has recognized the clinical value of our V.A.C.^® Therapy for patients, and the people of KCI are committed to helping physicians and nurses improve the lives of wound care patients in Japan.”

Added Mike Genau, KCI’s global president, Active Healing Solutions™, “We see tremendous opportunity to serve patients across the Asia Pacific region, and we’re proud to bring our V.A.C.^® Therapy to help patients in Japan heal faster. Our clinical trial in Japan clearly demonstrated the benefit V.A.C.^® Therapy will bring to patients and the Japanese healthcare system. We look forward to our work in Japan and continue to invest significant resources to create a long-term presence in the country.”

SOURCE Kinetic Concepts, Inc.