AngioDynamics (NASDAQ:ANGO), a leading provider of innovative medical devices used by interventional radiologists, nephrologists and surgeons for the minimally invasive treatment of cancer and peripheral vascular disease, announced today that it launched Centros™, a self-centering, tunneled hemodialysis access catheter.
Designed by Stephen R. Ash, MD, FACP, a worldwide thought leader in the field of hemodialysis access, Centros represents a new approach for central venous dialysis catheters. The distal end of the catheter has a unique curved configuration; placed in the superior vena cava (SVC), its curved tips keep the ports of the catheter centered in the SVC, away from the vein walls. The tips of the catheter are not placed in the atrium, but in the lower third of the SVC.
AngioDynamics acquired exclusive worldwide rights to manufacture and market the Centros dialysis catheter from Lafayette, Indiana-based Ash Access Technology, Inc., of which Dr. Ash is Board Chairman and Director of R&D. A leading interventional nephrologist, Dr. Ash is also Adjunct Associate Professor at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana and Clinical Associate at Indiana University Medical Center in Indianapolis. Dr. Ash, a well-published author and holder of numerous patents, is renowned as the inventor of the original split tip dialysis catheter.
“Based on our clinical trials with Centros, we believe that our novel design will enable excellent, uncompromised blood flow for a longer period than other, currently available dialysis catheters,” said Dr. Ash. “Patients would therefore benefit from a faster procedure and fewer interventions, which are often required for clots, sheathing or other complications.”
Dr. Ash will present data from a United States preliminary clinical study of the Centros catheter on Wednesday, January 23 at the International Symposium for Endovascular Therapy in Hollywood, Florida. AngioDynamics will begin a limited release to customers following the conference. The United States Food and Drug Administration granted its 510(k) clearance in June 2007.
“The market for chronic dialysis catheters exceeds $150 million,” said Eamonn Hobbs, AngioDynamics President and CEO. “We know this market well, and believe that Centros represents a significant improvement for patients and physicians compared to the currently available technology. AngioDynamics is driven by innovation, and working with Dr. Ash to bring Centros into the marketplace has been a true privilege. We are all excited to put this innovative device in the hands of our physician customers.”
About AngioDynamics
AngioDynamics, Inc. is a leading provider of innovative medical devices used by interventional radiologists, surgeons, and other physicians for the minimally invasive treatment of cancer and peripheral vascular disease. The Company's diverse product line includes market-leading radiofrequency ablation systems, vascular access products, angiographic products and accessories, dialysis products, angioplasty products, drainage products, thrombolytic products, embolization products and venous products.
Safe Harbor
The statements made in this document contain certain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Words such as "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," or variations of such words and similar expressions, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that actual events or results may differ from the Company's expectations. In addition to the matters described above, the ability of the Company to develop its products, future actions by the FDA or other regulatory agencies, results of pending or future clinical trials, overall economic conditions, general market conditions, market acceptance, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, the effects on pricing from group purchasing organizations and competition, as well as the risk factors listed from time to time in the SEC filings of AngioDynamics, Inc., including but not limited to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 2, 2007, may affect the actual results achieved by the Company.
Contacts:
D. Joseph Gersuk, CFO, 800-772-6446 ext. 1608
jgersuk@AngioDynamics.com
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