GlaxoSmithKline's sales in China more than halved during the third-quarter, hurt by a bribery investigation.
LONDON (CNNMoney) GlaxoSmithKline's sales plunged in the latest quarter following a bribery scandal that ensnared a number of GlaxoSmithKline executives and marred the drugmaker's reputation.Sales in China fell 61% during the third quarter. The company warned in July that the scandal would have an impact on its business but it's unclear to what extent.
"At this stage, it is still too early for us to quantify the longer-term impact on our performance in China," said the company.
Excluding China, sales rose 5%.
GlaxoSmithKline stands accused of channeling nearly $500 million through a network of 700 travel agencies to pay bribes to government officials, medical associations, hospitals and doctors.
Top 10 Medical Companies For 2014: Curis Inc.(CRIS)
Curis, Inc., a drug discovery and development company, focuses on the research and development of cancer therapeutics. The company, under collaboration with Genentech, Inc., is conducting a pivotal Phase II clinical trial on its lead molecule, GDC-0449 in advanced basal cell carcinoma patients, as well as various Phase II clinical trials in first-line metastatic colorectal cancer and advanced ovarian cancer patients. It is also evaluating CUDC-101, a small molecule that is in a Phase I clinical testing and is designed to target histone deacetylase, epidermal growth factor receptor, and epidermal growth factor receptor 2. In addition, Curis has a development candidate, Debio 0932, which is a Heat Shock Protein 90 or Hsp90 inhibitor. The company holds a license agreement with Debiopharm related to its Hsp90 technologies. Further, it involves in preclinical testing for the development of candidates from its targeted cancer programs. The company was founded in 2000 and is base d in Lexington, Massachusetts.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Monica Gerson]
Curis (NASDAQ: CRIS) dipped 18.97% to $3.16 in the pre-market session after the company reported Q3 financial results and provided CUDC-427 development update.
Top 10 Medical Companies For 2014: Medifocus Inc (MDFZF)
Medifocus Inc.(Medifocus) is a Canada-based company. The Company is engaged in the business of development and commercialization of minimally invasive, focused-heat tumor targeted cancer treatment devices and systems. Medifocus operates through its wholly owned subsidiary, Celsion (Canada) Limited (Celsion). Celsion had purchased from Celsion Corporation (United States), all of the assets relating to breast cancer Microfocus APA 1000 System (System), consisting of the microwave machine, the adaptive phased array (APA) technology licensed from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The Company focuses on breast cancer treatment by using microwave heating to enhance neoadjuvant chemotherapy to provide tumor shrinkage and control. Advisors' Opinion:- [By EquityOptionsGuru]
Over the past few years, and especially months, biotechnology stocks have been soaring on heightened investor expectations. Investors looking for a unique opportunity to participate in a massive bull rally over the next few years might want to pay special attention to one small but growing company called Medifocus (OTCMKTS:MDFZF).
- [By Peter Graham]
Small cap stocks KBridge Energy Corp (OTCMKTS: BMMCF), Medifocus Inc (OTCMKTS: MDFZF) and Inscor Inc (OTCMKTS: IOGA) have been getting some attention lately in various investment newsletters and some of it is deserved as the first stock sank 35% on Friday, the second one recently released its financials (which did show a big improvement, but there is also a big catch for investors) and the third one has been the subject of a very aggressive promotional campaign. But are any of these three small caps really all that hot for investors? Here is a quick reality check:
Hot Blue Chip Companies To Own In Right Now: Myriad Genetics Inc (MYGN)
Myriad Genetics, Inc. (Myriad) is a molecular diagnostic company. The Company is focused on developing and marketing predictive medicine, personalized medicine and prognostic medicine tests. It performs all of its molecular diagnostic testing and analysis in its own reference laboratories. These technologies include the cornerstone technologies of biomarker discovery, high-throughput deoxyribo nucleuc acid (DNA) sequencing, ribo nucleic acid (RNA) expression and multiplex protein analysis. The Company uses this information to guide the development of new molecular diagnostic tests that are designed to assess an individual's risk for developing disease later in life (predictive medicine), identify a patient's likelihood of responding to drug therapy and guide a patient's dosing to ensure optimal treatment (personalized medicine), or assess a patient's risk of disease progression and disease recurrence (prognostic medicine).
As of June 30, 2012, the Company had launched nine commercial molecular diagnostic tests. The Company markets these tests through its own approximate 385-person sales force in the United States. The Company also markets its BRACAnalysis, COLARIS, and COLARIS AP tests through its own European sales force and have entered into marketing collaborations with other organizations in selected Latin American, European and Asian countries. The Company also generates revenue by providing companion diagnostic services to the pharmaceutical, and biotechnology industries and medical research institutions utilizing its multiplexed immunoassay technology.
Molecular Diagnostic Tests
The Company's molecular diagnostic tests are designed to analyze genes, their mutations, expression levels and proteins to assess an individual's risk for developing disease later in life, determine a patient's likelihood of responding to a particular drug, assess a patient's risk of disease progression and disease recurrence and measure a patient's exposure to drug therapy to ensu! re optimal dosing and reduced drug toxicity. The Company's BRACAnalysis test is a analysis of the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes for assessing a woman's risk of developing hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. BRACAnalysis accounted for 81.7% of the Company's total revenue during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2012. Its The Company's COLARIS test is an analysis of the MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2 genes for assessing a person's risk of developing colorectal cancer or uterine cancer.
The Company's COLARIS AP test detects mutations in the APC and MYH genes, which cause a colon polyp-forming syndrome known as Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), a more common variation of the syndrome known as attenuated FAP, and the MYH-associated polyposis signature (MAP). The Company's MELARIS test analyzes mutations in the p16 gene to determine genetic susceptibility to malignant melanoma. The Company's OnDose test is a nanoparticle immunoassay that is designed to assist oncologists in optimizing 5-FU (fluorouracil) anti-cancer drug therapy in colon cancer patients on an individualized basis. The Company's PANEXIA test is a comprehensive analysis of the PALB2 and BRCA2 genes for assessing a person's risk of developing pancreatic cancer later in life. The Company's PREZEON test is an immunohistochemistry test that analyzes the PTEN gene and assesses loss of PTEN function in many cancer types.
The Company's Prolaris test is a 46-gene molecular diagnostic assay that assesses whether a patient is likely to have a slow growing, indolent form of prostate cancer that can be safely monitored through active surveillance, or a more aggressive form of the disease that would warrant aggressive intervention, such as a radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy. The Company's TheraGuide 5-FU test analyzes mutations in the DPYD gene and variations in the TYMS gene to assess patient risk of toxicity to 5-FU (fluorouracil) anti-cancer drug therapy.
Companion Diagnostic Services and Other Revenue
! Through M! yriad RBM Inc., the Company provides biomarker discovery and companion diagnostic services to the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical researches industries utilizing its multiplexed immunoassay technology. The Company's technology enables the Company to screen large sets of clinical samples from both diseased and non-diseased populations against the Company's menu of biomarkers. The Company's companion diagnostic services consist of Multi-Analyte Profile (MAP), Multiplexed Immunoassay Kits and TruCulture.
The Company has compiled a library of over 550 individual human and rodent immunoassays for use in its multi-analyte profile (MAP) testing services. The Company has also developed RodentMAP, a panel for use in pre-clinical animal studies and OncologyMAP, which measures cancer-related proteins to assists researchers accelerate the pace of discovery, validation and translation of cancer biomarkers for early detection, patient stratification and therapeutic monitoring. The Company has developed multiplexed immunoassay kits that enable its customers to leverage its technology services with their in-house capabilities. The Company's internally developed multiplexed immunoassay kits include all of the components necessary for a customer to perform a test on their own Luminex instrument. TruCulture is a simple, self-contained whole blood culture that can be deployed to clinical sites around the world for acquiring cell culture data without specialized facilities or training.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By James E. Brumley]
Earlier this week, Roche Holding Ltd. (OTCMKTS:RHHBY) made big news by winning the FDA's approval to administer a breast cancer drug before surgical removal of a breast tumor ... the first time the Food and Drug Administration has believed surgery (then followed by drugs and chemo) wasn't the best approach. Earlier in the year, a company called Myriad Genetics, Inc. (NASDAQ:MYGN) made a big splash, helped along by celebrity Angelina Jolie, who - using a DNA test from the genetic-testing company - elected to undergo a double mastectomy because her diagnostic's scores she was at a greater risk of breast cancer. Aside from being good for MYGN and RHHBY shareholders, both Roche Holding and Myriad Genetics are doing good work for cancer patients (and pre-cancer patient) too. Yet, there's another smaller company close to entering the same breast cancer fight that made big news of its own today... MetaStat Inc. (OTCMKTS:MTST). Indeed, this off-the-radar company in many ways has more potential than Myriad or Roche do, just by the virtue and capability of its underlying science.
- [By Dan Radovsky]
Myriad Genetics (NASDAQ: MYGN ) , almost one month after a landmark ruling in the U.S. Supreme Court both undermined and supported the company's claim of patents for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, has filed suit against a company it says has infringed on those patents.
- [By John Udovich]
On Monday, small cap molecular diagnostic stock Myriad Genetics, Inc (NASDAQ: MYGN) suddenly sank 9.34% to $23.50 just before the market closed���meaning its probably a good idea to take a closer look at what happened yesterday plus compare the stock�� performance verses small cap peer Sequenom, Inc (NASDAQ: SQNM) and mid cap peer Hologic, Inc (NASDAQ: HOLX).�
- [By Monica Gerson]
Breaking news
Loews (NYSE: L) reported a 59% rise in its third-quarter earnings. Loews posted a quarterly profit of $282 million, or $0.73 per share, versus a year-ago profit of $177 million, or $0.45 per share. To read the full news, click here. BankUnited (NYSE: BKU) announced today the commencement of an underwritten offering of 9,000,000 shares of its common stock by certain of its existing stockholders, subject to market and other conditions. To read the full news, click here. Liberty Global (NASDAQ: LBTYA) announced today an agreement to sell substantially all of its international content division Chellomedia to AMC Networks (NASDAQ: AMCX).To read the full news, click here. Myriad Genetics (NASDAQ: MYGN) today announced that validation data for the Myriad myPlan Lung Cancer test showed that it significantly predicted patients' risk of death from early-stage lung adenocarcinoma within five years of being diagnosed. To read the full news, click here.Posted-In: Bank of America US Stock FuturesNews Eurozone Futures Global Pre-Market Outlook Markets
Top 10 Medical Companies For 2014: Algeta ASA (ALGETA.OL)
Algeta ASA is a Norway-based biotechnology company engaged in the development of targeted cancer therapies based on its alpha-pharmaceutical platform. The Company�� principal product is Alpharadin for the treatment of bone metastases resulting from castration-resistant prostate cancer. The Company�� pipeline also includes Alpharadin for the treatment of bone metastases resulting from breast cancer, a combination of Alpharadin with Taxotere for the treatment of bone metastases resulting from prostate cancer and Thorium-227 showing various cancer indications. The Company develops Alpharadin in a development and marketing cooperation with Bayer Schering Pharma. Algeta ASA is active through the two wholly owned subsidiaries, Algeta Innovations AS and Algeta UK Limited. On April 12, 2012, the Company announced that it estabilished a subsidiary active in the United States, Algeta US.
Top 10 Medical Companies For 2014: Autoimmune Inc (AIMM)
AutoImmune Inc., incorporated in September 1988, is a healthcare company. The Company�� products are based on the principles of mucosal tolerance. The Company�� product is sold by Colloral LLC, the Company�� joint venture with Deseret, under the brand name Colloral, The Collagen Solution and Vital 3, and by Futurebiotics LLC under the brand name Vital 3. The other products which are in the development stage include MBP8298 (dirucotide), Oral Copaxone and AI 401.
The Company completed ten human clinical trials involving over 1,900 patients to investigate the use of Colloral as a pharmaceutical for treating symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. The Company holds a joint venture with Deseret by forming Colloral LLC to manufacture market and sell Colloral as a dietary supplement. Colloral LLC holds a distributing agreement with Futurebiotics LLC for Colloral. Futurebiotics LLC markets the product under the brand name Vital 3. Colloral LLC also markets the product under the Vital 3 brand through The Shopping Channel of Canada via on air segments and their Website.
The Company�� other products in the development stage include MBP8298 (dirucotide) for multiple sclerosis, which is in Phase III trials for secondary progressive multiple sclerosis; Oral Copaxone is in the research stage for multiple sclerosis, and AI 401 is in Phase III trials for Type 1 diabetes. The development of MBP8298 (dirucotide) is conducted by BioMS Medical Corporation (BioMS). In August 2000, BioMS tested patients in a Phase II/III (MAESTRO-01) clinical trial of its MBP8298 treatment for secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. It was conducted at 47 sites across Canada and Europe. In November 2006, BioMS enrolled in a Phase II clinical trial (MINDSET-01) of MBP8298 for treatment of relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. It enrolled 218 patients at 24 sites in six countries for a 15 month trial.
The Company collaborated with Eli Lilly, which supports clinical testing of orally administered a! utoimmune-mediated (Type 1) diabetes product, AI 401. Eli Lilly completed three different Phase II clinical trials to demonstrate human proof of principle for AI 401. The United States study was a one-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with more than 200 patients, designed to measure immunological changes, preservation of pancreatic function and time to insulin dependence. Its second Phase II trial, involving approximately 150 patients, was conducted in France. The third trial was conducted in Italy with approximately 80 patients. In addition, Eli Lilly provided AI 401 for the Diabetes Prevention Trial (DPT-1) conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). During the year ended December 31, 2008, the clinical trial of intranasal insulin to delay or prevent the clinical onset of Type I diabetes, called the Diabetes Prediction and Prevention Project was conducted in Finland. As of January 1, 2009, 115 had been enrolled in this trial.
Top 10 Medical Companies For 2014: OncoSec Medical Inc (ONCS)
OncoSec Medical Incorporated, incorporated on February 8, 2008, is an emerging drug-medical device company. The Company focused on designing, developing and commercializing medical approaches for the treatment of solid cancers. In March 2011, the Company acquired from Inovio Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Inovio) certain assets related to the use of drug-medical device combination products for the treatment of different cancers.
The Company�� acquired assets relate to certain non-deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) vaccine technology and property relating to selective tumor ablation technologies, which it refers to as the OncoSec Medical System (OMS), a therapy which uses an electroporation device to facilitate delivery of chemotherapy agents, or nucleic acids encoding cytokines, into tumors and/or surrounding tissue for the treatment and diagnosis of various cancers. As of January 24, 2012, the Company had not generated any revenue from operations.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By James E. Brumley]
If you're looking for the next big biotech breakout stock, then OncoSec Medical Inc. (OTCMKTS:ONCS) deserves a place on your watchlist. This volatile cancer play has been down more than up 2011, but if you look closely at a long-term chart of ONCS, you may find it's already wiggled its way into a new uptrend. And, it may be only a matter of time before the bullish fireworks start to go off.
- [By Bio-Wire]
Another company that has benefitted from Inovio�� newfound attention is OncoSec Medical (OTC: ONCS) ��a newer ��ffshoot�� company that uses a similar but distinctly different electroporation device known as the OncoSec Medical System (OMS) that is based on Inovio�� technology. The specific amplitude and frequency of the OMS electroporation is calibrated such that plasmid delivery into solid tumor masses is fully optimized, while CELLECTRA electroporation is less specialized and focus more on the vaccination of skin cells. The cross-license agreement made between Inovio and Oncosec also covers the two devices for their distinctly different applications.
- [By John Udovich]
Small cap biotech stocks AVEO Pharmaceuticals, Inc (NASDAQ: AVEO), OncoSec Medical Inc (OTCMKTS: ONCS) and MetaStat Inc (OTCBB: MTST) are focused on or are developing treatments or diagnostic technologies for metastatic cancers. In case you aren�� familiar with the term metastasis or metastatic, it�� the�spread of cancer from its primary site to other places in the body as cancer cells break away from a primary tumor, penetrate into lymphatic and blood vessels, circulate through the bloodstream and then grow in a new focus (metastasize) in normal tissues elsewhere in the body. In other words, it�� a dangerous form of cancer, but there are some small cap biotech stocks targeting it for diagnostics or treatment:
Top 10 Medical Companies For 2014: Fuse Science Inc (DROP)
Fuse Science, Inc. ( Fuse Science), incorporated on September 21, 1988, is a consumer products holding company. The Company maintains the rights to sublingual and transdermal delivery systems for bioactive agents that can effectively encapsulate and charge many varying molecules in order to produce complete product formulations which can be consumed orally, applied topically or delivered otherwise sublingually or transdermally, thereby bypassing the gastrointestinal tract and entering the blood stream directly. The Fuse Science technology is designed to accelerate conveyance of medicines or nutrients relative to traditional pills and liquids and can enhance how consumers receive these products. In December 2012, the Company launched its initial DROP products, PowerFuse, an energy formulation in a concentrated drop and ElectroFuse, an electrolyte formula in a concentrated drop, online, with the expansion into targeted retail distribution channels.
The Company is developing formulations and devices, which are compatible with alternative delivery systems for energy, medicines, vitamins and minerals, among other bioactives. These alternative systems include, but are not limited to, sublingual, transdermal and buccal drug delivery methods. use Science has developed and continues to advance, in conjunction with its scientific team, sublingual and transdermal delivery systems for bioactives that can effectively encapsulate and charge varying molecules in order to produce product formulations which can be consumed orally, applied topically or otherwise delivered sublingually or transdermally, thereby bypassing the gastrointestinal tract and entering the blood stream directly. The delivery technology is consists of encapsulation vesicles and ion exchange permeation enhancers. This technology utilizes a gradient across the mucosa membrane to help deliver the bioactive more efficiently through the mucosa.
The Company�� products consist of EnerJel, PowerFuse and ElectroFuse. Ene! rJel is a topical product leveraging some of its technology, which is designed to address muscle fatigue and soreness, before, during and after physical activity. The product contains a natural anti-inflammatory and energy source which is directly applied to the problem area. PowerFuse contains natural ingredients, causes no sugar crash with zero calories and less than half the caffeine of an eight ounce cup of premium coffee. It is available in a great tasting Berry Blast Flavor. ElectroFuse contains natural ingredients, causes no sugar crash with zero calories, is easily portable and is available in a great tasting Salty-Sweet flavor.
Top 10 Medical Companies For 2014: Paradigm Medical Industries Inc (PDMI)
Paradigm Medical Industries, Inc., incorporated in October 1989, develops, manufactures, markets and sells ophthalmic diagnostic instrumentation and related accessories, including disposable products. The diagnostic products that the Company manufacturers, markets and sells consist of the P60 UBM Ultrasound Biomicroscope, two perimeters - the LD 400 and the TKS 5000, and the Blood Flow Analyzer. The diagnostic products that the Company markets and sells, which are manufactured by its Italian partner, Costruzione Strumenti Oftalmici srl (CSO), are the Paramax, corneal topographers - the Paravue 300 and the Surveyor 500, and the Paracam 1000. The P60 UBM Ultrasound biomicroscope is the third-generation of UBM devices. The CSO product to be distributed and sold by the Company is the Paramax. Other CSO products to be sold by the Company are the Paravue 300, a corneal topographer with the ability to display live images on a computer monitor; the Surveyor 500, a corneal topographer with a rotating Scheimpflug camera with placido disk, and the Paracam 1000, a specular microscope for endothelial cell evaluations.
Diagnostic Eye Care Products
The Company�� diagnostic eye care products include blood flow analyzer, dicon perimeters, P60 UBM ultrasound biomicroscopes, and Paramax and other products manufactured by Costruzione Strumenti Oftalmici srl. The blood flow analyzer device measures not only intraocular pressure but also pulsatile ocular blood flow, the reduction of which may cause nerve fiber bundle death through oxygen deprivation thus resulting in visual field loss associated with glaucoma. The Company's blood flow analyzer is a portable automated in-office system that presents a method for ocular blood flow testing for the ophthalmic and optometric practitioner. The device is a portable desktop system that utilizes an Air Membrane Applanation Probe (AMAP), which can be attached to any model of standard examination slit lamp, which is then placed on the cornea of the patient! 's eye to measure the intraocular pressure within the eye.
Dicon perimeters consist of the LD 400 and the TKS 5000, and software consisting of Field Lin FieldView and Advanced Field View. Perimeters are used to determine retinal sensitivity testing the visual pathway. Perimetry is reimbursable worldwide. The Dicon perimeters feature kinetic fixation and voice synthesis in 27 different languages. The LD 400FT, or Fast Threshold Autoperimeter, is the successor to the LD 400. The device is an autoperimeter used to measure patient visual fields. The LD 400FT is identical in hardware to the LD 400 but it uses new software to enable a threshold test. The P60 biomicroscope represents the third-generation of UBM devices. The Paramax is to be sold in North America on an exclusive basis. The Paramax performs tests for the early screening and follow up of pathologies, such as glaucoma, age related macular degeneration, vascular retinal degeneration, and other optic nerve diseases.
Surgical Products
The Company�� surgical products include Precisionist Thirty Thousand, Ocular Surgery Workstation and Photon Laser System. The Precisionist Thirty Thousand is the Company's core phaco surgical technology. As of December 31, 2009, the Precisionist is not manufactured by the Company. The system features a graphic color display and on board computer and graphic user interface linked to a soft key membrane panel for flexible programmable operation. The system provides real-time on-the-fly adjustment capabilities for each surgical parameter during the surgical procedure for high-volume applications. In addition, the Precisionist provides one hundred pre-programmable surgery setups, with a second level of subprogrammed custom modes within each major surgical screen (ultrasound phaco and
irrigation/aspiration modes).
The Ocular Surgery Workstation comprises the base system of the Precisionist
Thirty Thousand and is the first system, to the Company's knowledge,! which us! es the expansive capabilities of today's advanced computer technology to offer seamless open architecture expandability of the system hardware and software modules. The Workstation utilizes an embedded open architecture computer developed for the Company and controlled by a software system developed by the Company that interfaces with all components of the system. Ultrasound, fluidics (irrigation), aspiration, venting, coagulation and anterior vitrectomy (pneumatic) are all included in the base model.
The Photon laser cataract system is designed to be installed as a seamless plug-in upgrade or add-on to the Company's Precisionist' Ocular Surgery Workstation. The Photon laser utilizes the on board microprocessor computer of the Workstation to generate short pulse laser energy developed through the patented LCP to targeted cataract tissue inside the eye, while simultaneously irrigating the eye and aspirating the diseased cataract tissue from the eye. In addition to the cataract surgery equipment, the Company's surgical systems are designed to utilize accessory instruments and disposables. These include replacement ultrasound tips, sleeves, tubing sets and fluidics packs, instrument drapes and laser cataract probes. The Company focuses on expanding its disposable accessories as it penetrates the cataract surgery market and expands the treatment applications for its Workstation.
The Company competes with Sonomed, Tomey, Nidek, OTI and Quantel.
Top 10 Medical Companies For 2014: Boston Scientific Corp (BSX)
Boston Scientific Corporation is a developer, manufacturer and marketer of medical devices that are used in a range of interventional medical specialties. During the year ended December 31, 2011, its products were offered for sale by seven core businesses: Interventional Cardiology, CRM, Endoscopy, Peripheral Interventions, Urology/Women�� Health, Neuromodulation, and Electrophysiology. In January 2011, it completed the acquisition of Intelect Medical, Inc. In January 2011, it completed the acquisition of Sadra Medical, Inc. In March 2011, the Company completed the acquisition of Atritech, Inc. In February 2011, it announced the acquisitions of S.I. Therapies and ReVascular Therapeutics, Inc. In January 2011, the Company sold its Neurovascular business to Stryker Corporation. In June 2012, the Company acquired Cameron Health, Inc. of San Clemente, California and, as a result, added to its product portfolio subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator, called the S-ICD System.
Interventional Cardiology
The Company offers coronary stent product. Coronary stents are tiny, mesh tubes used in the treatment of coronary artery disease, which are implanted in patients to prop open arteries and facilitate blood flow to and from the heart. The Company offers a two-drug platform strategy with its paclitaxel-eluting and everolimus-eluting stent system offerings, and it offers a range of stent sizes. The Company markets its next-generation internally-developed and self-manufactured PROMUS Element stent system in the United States, its Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA) region and certain Inter-Continental countries, including China and India. It markets the PROMUS everolimus-eluting stent system, supplied to the Company by Abbott Laboratories, in Japan. It also markets its TAXUS paclitaxel-eluting stent line, including its third-generation TAXUS Element paclitaxel-eluting stent system in the U.nited States, Japan, EMEA and certain Inter-Continental countries.
The Compa! ny markets a line of products used to treat patients with atherosclerosis, a principal cause of coronary artery obstructive disease. Its product offerings include balloon catheters, rotational atherectomy systems, guide wires, guide catheters, embolic protection devices, and diagnostic catheters used in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The Company markets a family of intraluminal catheter-directed ultrasound imaging catheters and systems for use in coronary arteries and heart chambers, as well as certain peripheral vessels. The iLab Ultrasound Imaging System continues as its flagship console and is compatible with its line of imaging catheters. The system is designed to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of blocked vessels and heart disorders. Sadra is developing a repositionable and retrievable device for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to treat patients with severe aortic stenosis. The Lotus Valve System consists of a stent-mounted tissue valve prosthesis and catheter delivery system for guidance and placement of the valve. Atritech has developed a device designed to close the left atrial appendage in patients with atrial fibrillation who are at risk for ischemic stroke. The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Technology, developed by Atritech, is the first device proven in a randomized clinical trial to offer an alternative to anticoagulant drugs, and is approved for use in CE Mark countries.
Cardiac Rhythm Management
The Company develops, manufactures and markets a variety of implantable devices that monitor the heart and deliver electricity to treat cardiac abnormalities, including Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) systems used to detect and treat abnormally fast heart rhythms (tachycardia) that could result in sudden cardiac death, including implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D) systems used to treat heart failure, and implantable pacemaker systems used to manage slow or irregular heart rhyth! ms (brady! cardia), including implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemaker (CRT-P) systems used to treat heart failure. Its product offerings include its COGNIS cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator (CRT-D), its TELIGEN ICD systems and its ALTRUA family of pacemaker systems. During 2011, it began the United States launch of its next-generation line of defibrillators, INCEPTA, ENERGEN and PUNCTUA.
Endoscopy
The Company markets a range of products to diagnose, treat and ease a variety of digestive diseases, including those affecting the esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, duodenum, and colon. Common disease states include esophagitis, portal hypertension, peptic ulcers as well as esophageal, biliary, pancreatic and colonic cancer. The Company offers the Radial Jaw 4 Single-Use Biopsy Forceps, which are designed to enable collection of large high-quality tissue specimens without the need to use large channel therapeutic endoscopes. Its exclusive line of RX Biliary System devices are designed to provide greater access and control for physicians to diagnose and treat challenging conditions of the bile ducts, such as removing gallstones, opening obstructed bile ducts and obtaining biopsies in suspected tumors. The Company also markets the Spyglass Direct Visualization System for direct imaging of the pancreatico-biliary system. The Spyglass System is a single-operator cholangioscopy device that offers clinicians a direct visualization of the pancreatico-biliary system and includes supporting devices for tissue acquisition, stone management and lithotripsy. Its products also include the WallFlex family of stents, in particular, the WallFlex Biliary line and WallFlex Esophageal line; and in 2011, the Company launched its Advanix Biliary Plastic Stent System and the Expect Endoscopic Ultrasound Aspiration Needle in the United States and certain international markets. Its Resolution Clip Device is an endoscopic mechanical clip designed to treat gastrointestinal bleeding.
T! he Company markets devices to diagnose, treat and ease pulmonary disease systems within the airway and lungs. Its products are designed to help perform biopsies, retrieve foreign bodies from the airway, open narrowings of an airway, stop internal bleeding, and ease symptoms of some types of airway cancers. Its product line includes pulmonary biopsy forceps, transbronchial aspiration needles, cytology brushes and tracheobronchial stents used to dilate narrowed airway passages or for tumor management. Asthmatx, Inc. designs, manufactures and markets a less-invasive, catheter-based bronchial thermoplasty procedure for the treatment of severe persistent asthma. The Alair Bronchial Thermoplasty System, developed by Asthmatx, has both CE Mark and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval and is the first device-based asthma treatment approved by the FDA.
Peripheral Interventions
The Company sells various products designed to treat patients with peripheral disease, including a line of medical devices used in percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and peripheral vascular stenting. Its peripheral product offerings include stents, balloon catheters, wires, peripheral embolization devices and vena cava filters. In 2010 and 2011, it launched several of its products internationally, including the EPIC self-expanding nitinol stent system in certain international markets, and the Carotid WALLSTENT stent system in Japan. The Company launched three new peripheral angioplasty balloons in 2011, including its next-generation Mustang percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) balloon, its Coyote balloon catheter, a highly deliverable and ultra-low profile balloon dilatation catheter designed for a range of peripheral angioplasty procedures and its Charger PTA Balloon Catheter, a 0.035 inch percutaneous transluminal angioplasty balloon catheter designed for post-stent dilatation, as well as conventional balloon angioplasty to open blocked peripheral arteries. The Company has commenced a limited ma! rket rele! ase of its OFFROAD re-entry catheter system in certain international markets, and in February 2012, it launched its TRUEPATH intraluminal CTO device in the United States.
The Company sells products designed to treat patients with non-vascular disease. Its non-vascular suite of products include biliary stents, drainage catheters and micro-puncture sets designed to treat, diagnose and ease various forms of benign and malignant tumors. The Company continues to market its extensive line of Interventional Oncology product solutions, including the Renegade HI-FLO Fathom microcatheter and guidewire system and Interlock - 35 Fibered IDC Occlusion System for peripheral embolization. The Company�� FilterWire EZ Embolic Protection System is a filter designed to capture embolic material that may become dislodged during a procedure, which could otherwise travel into the microvasculature where it could cause a heart attack or stroke. It is commercially available in the United States, its EMEA region and certain Inter-Continental countries for multiple indications, including the treatment of disease in peripheral, coronary and carotid vessels. It is also available in the United States for the treatment of saphenous vein grafts and carotid artery stenting procedures.
Urology/Women�� Health
The Company�� Urology/Women�� Health division develops, manufactures and sells devices to treat various urological and gynecological disorders. The Company sells a variety of products designed to treat patients with urinary stone disease, stress urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse and excessive uterine bleeding. The Company offers a line of stone management products, including ureteral stents, wires, lithotripsy devices, stone retrieval devices, sheaths, balloons and catheters.
The Company markets a range of devices for the treatment of conditions, such as female urinary incontinence, pelvic floor reconstruction (rebuilding of the anatomy to its original state), and ! menorrhag! ia (excessive menstrual bleeding). It offers a breadth of mid-urethral sling products, sling materials, graft materials, pelvic floor reconstruction kits, and suturing devices. The Company markets its Genesys Hydro ThermAblator (HTA) system, a next-generation endometrial ablation system designed to ablate the endometrial lining of the uterus in premenopausal women with menorrhagia. The Genesys HTA System features a smaller and lighter console, simplified set-up requirements, and an enhanced graphic user interface and is designed to improve operating performance.
Neuromodulation
The Company within its Neuromodulation business markets the Precision Spinal Cord Stimulation (SCS) system, used for the management of chronic pain. In 2011, the Company launched its Clik Anchor for its Precision Plus SCS System, a rechargeable SCS device for chronic pain management. During 2011, it received FDA approval for and launched the Infinion 16 Percutaneous Lead, a 16-contact percutaneous lead. The Company also markets the Linear 3-4 and Linear 3-6 Percutaneous Leads for use with its SCS systems, which are designed to provide physicians more treatment options for their chronic pain patients. Intelect Medical, Inc. is a development-stage company developing advanced visualization and programming for the Vercise system.
Electrophysiology
The Company within its Electrophysiology business develops less-invasive medical technologies used in the diagnosis and treatment of rate and rhythm disorders of the heart. Included in its product offerings are radio frequency (RF) generators, steerable RF ablation catheters, intracardiac ultrasound catheters, diagnostic catheters, delivery sheaths, and other accessories. Its products include the Blazer and Blazer Prime line of temperature ablation catheters, designed to deliver enhanced performance, responsiveness, and durability. Its cooled ablation portfolio includes the closed-loop irrigated catheter on the market, the Chilli II cooled! ablation! catheter, and the newly launched Blazer Open-Irrigated ablation catheter with a Total Tip Cooling Design.
The Company competes with Abbott Laboratories, Medtronic, Inc., St. Jude Medical, Inc. and Johnson & Johnson.
Advisors' Opinion:- [By Dan Carroll]
Investors have gotten their money's worth out of Boston Scientific's (NYSE: BSX ) stock lately. Shares of the medical device maker have surged by more than 30% in the past six months alone, rising higher despite the company's troubles. Sales have fallen into a slump at Boston Scientific, led lower by the company's cardiac rhythm management, or CRM, business, which produces everything from pacemakers to implantable defibrillators. This is an industry on the decline�--�Medtronic (NYSE: MDT ) , a leader in the medical device field, has seen its own CRM sales slump in recent quarters, while Boston Sci rival St. Jude Medical (NYSE: STJ ) has similarly had its top line hammered by its CRM division's falling revenue.
- [By Dan Carroll]
Why is this important? Medtronic's battling with Edwards Lifesciences's (NYSE: EW ) Sapien heart valve for market share in Europe, and upstarts Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX ) and St. Jude Medical (NYSE: STJ ) are looking to punch into the European industry with their Lotus and Portico valves, respectively. Medtronic's valve-in-valve approval gives the company a leg up on its competition, but is it enough to entrench this firm as a leader in the industry? Motley Fool contributor Dan Carroll and health-care analyst Max Macaluso discuss what you need to know below.
- [By Keith Speights]
Has anyone noticed a common theme among the first-quarter results for many of the big medical-device companies? In case you missed earnings announcements from Abbott Labs (NYSE: ABT ) , Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX ) , Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE: EW ) , Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ ) , or Stryker (NYSE: SYK ) , the following chart shows how their medical-device business fared during the quarter.
- [By Holly LaFon]
��Boston Scientific Corp. (BSX), a medical device manufacturer, recently reported its first quarter of growth in more than three years, while also raising its earnings outlook. An emerging pipeline of new products offers the potential for continued improvement and the potential to return to mid-single digit revenue growth.
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