Business
Success in Animal Trials
Success in Animal Trials.
About this update from Rua Life Sciences Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n RNS Number : 9606Z Aortech International PLC 28 July 2008 \n \n\n\n\n\n\nFor Immediate Release\n\n\nJuly 28, 2008\n\n\n\n\n\nAorTech International plc \n('AorTech' or the 'Company')\n\nSuccess in Animal Trials with \nMitral Regurgitation Device by Cardiosolutions \n\nAorTech International plc (AIM:AOR), the biomaterials and medical device development company, announces success with chronic animal use of its proprietary biostable co-polymer Elast-Eon™ in a new mitral regurgitation device, currently being developed by Cardiosolutions, Inc. ('Cardiosolutions'). These animal trials are in support of the first human use, anticipated in the second half of 2009. Pursuant to the terms of the non-exclusive licence granted to Cardiosolutions in March of 2007, a milestone payment is due to AorTech.\n\nThe Cardiosolutions Percu-Pro System consists of a proprietary spacing implant (Mitra-SpacerTM) and a catheter based delivery system that deploys the implant into left ventricle, positioning the spacer to fill the defect in the mitral valve and prevent regurgitation during left ventricular systole.\n\nMore than 200,000 new cases of mitral regurgitation are diagnosed annually in the US and the annual market opportunity is projected to be in excess of $600 million by 2010.\n\nSteve Tallarida, President STD Med, Inc. said, 'Cardiosolutions is the fourth start-up company incubated by STD Med, Inc. and we are very excited about the rapid progress that has been made as a result of the hemocompatibility and other desirable properties of the AorTech materials.'\nJon Wilson, COO, Cardiosolutions said, 'Our chronic animal work continues to go well and we are very confident in the long-term results of our Elast-Eon covered Mitra-Spacer.'\nIn qualification programs with other companies, Elast-Eon is being assessed for a range of additional applications including morbid obesity, neurostimulation, diabetes, women's health and cardiovascular devices.\n\nFrank Maguire, CEO of AorTech said, 'As we have seen superior biostability, blood compatibility and fatigue resistance in the trials of the AorTech polymer heart valve, the results of the work in the Ca...