Boston Scientic and Japanese company ASAHI INTECC 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.
Background
ASAHI INTECC specializes in wire drawing, wire forming, torque transmission, and coating processes for percutaneous transluminal coronary angiography (PTCA) guidewires. The company 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 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.
As a second strand of the agreement, the companies will also 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.
Company comments
for Boston Scientific
“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.”
for Asahi Intecc
“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.”
Source: Boston Scientific Corporation, PR Newswire
published: August 19, 2014 in: Boston Scientific, Cardio, Company News