Eurocor In Talks With Global Stent Makers For Joint Distribution Of Next-Generation Stents
Full article reprinted from PharmAsia News - August 20, 2008
MUMBAI - A few of the world's top stent makers are in discussions with German stent manufacturer Eurocor for joint distribution of its next-generation interventional cardiovascular stents in the U.S. Find out more...
Full article reprinted from PharmAsia News - August 20, 2008
MUMBAI - A few of the world's top stent makers are in discussions with German stent manufacturer Eurocor for joint distribution of its next-generation interventional cardiovascular stents in the U.S.
Eurocor - now wholly owned by medical device company Opto Circuits of India - claims to have developed the world's first paclitaxel-eluting coronary dilation balloon catheter branded Dior in 2007.
"I am in discussions with some big companies in the area of stents for strategic alliances, mainly joint distribution of Eurocor's future stents in the U.S.," Eurocor CEO Michael Orlowski told PharmAsia News. "I cannot disclose the details but if talks progress, we can sign an arrangement by the end of the year," Orlowski added.
Specializing in drug-eluting stents, Eurocor's next-generation stents in develoment include a biodegradable coronary stent implant.
Eurocor is also working on genetic-stent technology whereby a combination of synthesized RNA is loaded onto a functional stent surface for rapid re-endotheliazation of the stent implant.
Orlowski told a group of media professionals that larger stent makers are increasingly looking to smaller companies for technical skills, and collaborations may extend from distribution to sharing technical know-how.
Opto Circuits acquired Eurocor in 2005 for €11 million and since then the company has grown by more than 300 percent annually.
The global stent market is estimated at more than $10 billion and is dominated by Johnson & Johnson's Cypher, Abbott's Xience and a host of stents from Boston Scientific.
Meanwhile, Opto Circuits is scouting for a European company to enhance its product basket of medical and monitory devices. According to sources at Opto Circuits, the target company is based in the U.K. but held by U.S.-based private equity players. The U.K.-based company is manufactures ventilators and defibrillators and could be valued at over $100 million.
- Vikas Dandekar
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