'The rapid adoption of the TAXUS Express Atom Stent has confirmed
the need for this type of stenting option in the treatment of
small-vessel coronary artery disease,' said
Data from numerous clinical studies have shown that an estimated 10 percent of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions have small vessels ((less than)2.5 mm). Until recently, many physicians were inclined to implant bare-metal stents in these patients since they were the only approved stenting option for small vessels. Last year's launch of the TAXUS Express Atom Stent offered an alternative treatment choice for patients with small vessels who will now have the additional option of the TAXUS Liberte Atom Stent.
The TAXUS Liberte Stent features design improvements over the Company's first-generation TAXUS Express Stent, including thinner struts to allow better stent deliverability and conformability, as well as uniform stent geometry for consistent lesion coverage and drug distribution.
Boston Scientific offers the industry's widest range of coronary
stent sizes. The Company expects to expand its stent portfolio later
this year with the first 38 mm long DES, the TAXUS(R) Liberte(R)
TAXUS Stents have been evaluated by the industry's most extensive randomized, controlled clinical trial program, with follow-up to five years in some cases. These trial results have been supplemented by data on more than 35,000 patients enrolled in post-approval registries. To date, approximately 11 million Boston Scientific stents have been implanted globally, making them the world's most frequently used stents.
Forward Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release that are not based on
historical fact, including without limitation statements containing the
words 'believes,' 'may,' 'plans,' 'will,' 'estimates,' 'continues,'
'anticipates,' 'intends,' 'expects' and similar expressions, constitute
'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the U.S. Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and 'forward-looking
information' within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws.
All such statements are made pursuant to the 'safe harbor' provisions
of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements may
involve, but are not limited to, comments with respect to our
objectives and priorities for 2009 and beyond, our strategies or future
actions, our targets, expectations for our financial condition and the
results of, or outlook for, our operations, research, development,
product and drug development. Such forward-looking statements involve
known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause
the actual results, events or developments to be materially different
from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by
such forward-looking statements. Many such risks, uncertainties and
other factors are taken into account as part of our assumptions
underlying these forward-looking statements and include, among others,
the following: general economic and business conditions, both
nationally and in the regions in which we operate; market demand;
technological changes that could impact our existing products or our
ability to develop and commercialize future products; competition;
existing governmental regulations and changes in, or the failure to
comply with, governmental regulations; adverse results or unexpected
delays in pre-clinical and clinical product development processes;
adverse findings related to the safety and/or efficacy of our products
or products sold by our partners; decisions, and the timing of
decisions, made by health regulatory agencies regarding approval of our
technology and products; the requirement for substantial funding to
conduct research and development and to expand manufacturing and
commercialization activities or consummate acquisitions; and any other
factors that may affect performance. In addition, our business is
subject to certain operating risks that may cause the actual results
expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements in this press
release to differ materially from our actual results. These operating
risks include: our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;
our ability to successfully complete pre-clinical and clinical
development of our products; changes in business strategy or
development plans; our failure to obtain patent protection for
discoveries; loss of patent protection resulting from third party
challenges to our patents; commercialization limitations imposed by
patents owned or controlled by third parties; our ability to obtain
rights to technology from licensors; liability for patent claims and
other claims asserted against us; our ability to obtain and enforce
timely patent and other intellectual property protection for our
technology and products; the ability to enter into, and to maintain,
corporate alliances relating to the development and commercialization
of our technology and products; market acceptance of our technology and
products; our ability to successfully manufacture, market and sell our
products; the continued availability of capital to finance our
activities; and any other factors referenced in our other filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission ('SEC') and applicable Canadian
regulatory authorities. For a more thorough discussion of the risks
associated with our business, see the 'Risk Factors' section in our
annual report for the year ended
Given these uncertainties, assumptions and risk factors, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect future results, events or developments.
About Angiotech Pharmaceuticals
Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a global specialty pharmaceutical and medical device company with over 1,500 dedicated employees. Angiotech discovers, develops and markets innovative treatment solutions for diseases or complications associated with medical device implants, surgical interventions and acute injury. To find out more about Angiotech (NASDAQ: ANPI, TSX: ANP), please visit our website at www.angiotech.com.
SOURCE Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Inc.