Neovasc Reducer(TM) for Refractory Angina Featured in Live Case Session at
TCT 2010 Conference
- Neovasc Reducer Implantation Procedure in Refractory Angina Patient Broadcast Live from Belgium to Main Arena of Leading Cardiovascular Conference -
TSX Venture Exchange: NVC
VANCOUVER and WASHINGTON DC, Sept. 27 /CNW/ - Neovasc Inc. (TSXV: NVC), a developer of novel technologies used to treat vascular disease, today announced that its Neovasc Reducer(TM) product was featured in a "live case" broadcast to the main arena of TCT 2010, the 22nd annual Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics scientific symposium sponsored by the Cardiovascular Research Foundation. In the live case broadcast, Dr. Stefan Verheye at the Antwerp Cardiovascular Institute / ZNA Middelheim in Belgium successfully implanted a Neovasc Reducer product in the coronary sinus of a patient suffering from refractory angina. Dr. Verheye is the principal investigator in Neovasc's COSIRA trial, an international study designed to assess the efficacy of Neovasc's Reducer product for the treatment of refractory angina.
The Neovasc Reducer is a novel device designed to treat patients who suffer from refractory angina, a painful and debilitating condition that occurs when the coronary arteries deliver an inadequate supply of blood to the heart muscle. Refractory angina currently affects over two million patients worldwide, who typically lead severely restricted lives. The incidence of refractory angina is growing, yet current treatment options are limited.
The Reducer is implanted in the coronary sinus vein using minimally invasive techniques. It is intended to provide relief of refractory angina symptoms by altering blood flow in the coronary sinus and thereby increasing perfusion of oxygenated blood to certain areas of the heart muscle that receive an inadequate supply of oxygen. Placement of the Reducer is performed using a minimally invasive percutaneous procedure that is similar to implanting a coronary stent and takes approximately 20 minutes.
"This live case broadcast at TCT highlights the potential importance of our Reducer product as an innovative new treatment for the millions of patients disabled by refractory angina," said Alexei Marko, Neovasc CEO. "We also found the discussion by a panel of distinguished interventional cardiologists following the procedure to be informative and encouraging. This high profile debut at TCT 2010 reinforces our commitment to completing the COSIRA trial on schedule and bringing the Reducer to market as a new treatment option for patients with refractory angina who lack alternatives for relieving their symptoms and improving their quality of life."
Results from an initial clinical trial of the Reducer were presented at the American College of Cardiology 2010 annual meeting. The data showed that three years after implantation of the Reducer, the product remained safe and the majority of the 15 patients tested continued to show measurable improvement in angina symptoms. The COSIRA (Coronary Sinus Reducer for Treatment of Refractory Angina) trial now underway is a multicenter, sham-controlled, randomized, double-blinded study. It has been designed to provide controlled, statistically significant data to further demonstrate the efficacy of the Reducer to support regulatory applications and marketing of the product for the millions of refractory angina patients who might benefit.
Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT), the world's largest educational meeting specializing in interventional cardiovascular medicine, is the annual scientific symposium of the Cardiovascular Research Foundation. For more than 20 years, TCT has been the center of new cutting-edge educational content. TCT gathers leading medical researchers and clinicians from around the world to present and discuss the latest developments in the field. TCT 2010 was held in Washington DC from September 21-25, 2010. For more information, visit http://www.tctconference.com
About Neovasc Inc.
Neovasc Inc. is a specialty vascular device company that develops, manufactures and markets medical devices for the rapidly growing vascular and surgical marketplace. The company's current products include the Neovasc Reducer(TM), a novel product in development to treat refractory angina, as well as a line of advanced biological tissue technologies that are used to enhance surgical outcomes and as key components in a variety of third-party medical products such as percutaneous heart valves. For more information, visit: www.neovasc.com.
Statements contained herein that are not based on historical or current fact, including without limitation statements containing the words "anticipates," "believes," "may," "continues," "estimates," "expects," and "will" and words of similar import, constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 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. Such factors include, among others, the following: general economic and business conditions, both nationally and in the regions in which the Company operates; history of losses and lack of and uncertainty of revenues, ability to obtain required financing, receipt of regulatory approval of product candidates, ability to properly integrate newly acquired businesses, technology changes; competition; changes in business strategy or development plans; the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; existing governmental regulations and changes in, or the failure to comply with, governmental regulations; liability and other claims asserted against the Company; and other factors referenced in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators. Although the Company believes that expectations conveyed by the forward-looking statements are reasonable based on the information available to it on the date such statements were made, no assurances can be given as to the future results, approvals or achievements. Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by applicable law.
For further information: Corporate contact: Neovasc Inc., Chris Clark, 604 248-4138; U.S. media & investor contact: GendeLLindheim BioCom Partners, Barbara Lindheim, 212 918-4650
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