Angiotech's Corporate Partner, Boston Scientific, Announces Japanese Launch of TAXUS® Express2(TM) Coronary Stent System
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Reimbursement granted by National Health Insurance System
VANCOUVER, May 8 // -- Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ:ANPI)(NASDAQ:TSX:)(NASDAQ:ANP), a global specialty pharmaceutical and medical device company, along with its corporate partner Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) today announced the launch of its TAXUS(R) Express2(TM) paclitaxel-eluting coronary stent system in Japan.
The product was approved by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) on March 30; reimbursement has now been granted by the National Health Insurance System, effective May 1.
The TAXUS stent systems are currently the leading drug-eluting stents in markets outside of Japan. The number of coronary stents implanted annually in Japan is estimated at 200,000, making it the largest market in the world outside of the United States.
The TAXUS stent systems have been evaluated by the industry's most extensive randomized, controlled clinical trial program. The TAXUS stent systems have also been studied in more than 12,000 real-world patients enrolled in post-approval registries, in addition to three million TAXUS stents implanted worldwide.
"We are pleased that the innovative technology of the TAXUS Express2 stent is now available to physicians in Japan, offering them another treatment option with proven outcomes across a broad range of patients," said Dr. William Hunter, President and CEO of Angiotech.
(R), (TM) Trademarks of Boston Scientific Corporation
Source: Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
