Health Canada has approved the XIENCE V Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System, from Abbott Laboratories, for the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD). XIENCE V is the only drug eluting stent to have demonstrated superiority over the TAXUS Paclitaxel-Eluting Coronary Stent System (TAXUS) in the primary endpoints of two randomized, pivotal (phase III) clinical trials. Abbott will launch XIENCE V in Canada immediately.
"XIENCE V is an important next-generation treatment option combining impressive deliverability with demonstrated efficacy and safety," says Guy Leclerc, M.D., FRCPC, FACC, interventional cardiologist and associate professor of research, Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite de Montreal. "With strong, long-term data supporting it, XIENCE V is a welcome addition for treating patients with coronary artery disease."
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Canada. Furthermore, 54% of all cardiovascular deaths are due to CAD, whereby plaque buildup narrows the arteries and reduces blood flow to the heart, which can lead to chest pain or a heart attack.
The XIENCE V drug coated stent is used to treat CAD by propping open a narrowed or blocked artery and releasing the drug, everolimus, in a controlled manner over time to help prevent the artery from becoming blocked again following the stent procedure.
"XIENCE V represents a major advancement in the treatment of heart disease, based upon its ease of use and consistently strong performance across all clinical trials. This is why physicians have embraced XIENCE V, making it the market-leading drug eluting stent around the world," says Robert Hance, senior vice president, vascular, Abbott. "We look forward to launching XIENCE V immediately in Canada to meet physician demand for this much-awaited drug eluting stent technology."
About XIENCE V
XIENCE V is built upon Abbott's market-leading bare metal stent, the MULTI-LINK VISION(R) Coronary Stent System. The VISION platform is designed to facilitate ease of delivery, making it easier for physicians to maneuver the stent and treat the diseased portion of the artery.
The XIENCE V drug coated stent will be available on both over-the-wire (OTW) and rapid exchange (RX) delivery systems. Rapid exchange is the most widely used type of delivery system because it provides physicians additional flexibility to work as single operators during stent procedures.
Abbott's market-leading XIENCE V drug eluting stent is marketed in the United States, Europe and other international markets. XIENCE V is an investigational device in Japan and is currently under review by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency.
Abbott supplies a private-labeled XIENCE V to Boston Scientific called the PROMUS(TM) Everolimus-Eluting Coronary Stent System. PROMUS is manufactured by Abbott and supplied to Boston Scientific as part of a distribution agreement between the two companies.
Everolimus, developed by Novartis Pharma AG, is a proliferation signal inhibitor, or mTOR inhibitor, licensed to Abbott by Novartis for use on its drug eluting stents. Everolimus has been shown to inhibit in-stent neointimal growth in the coronary vessels following stent implantation, due to its anti-proliferative properties.
XIENCE V is indicated for improving coronary luminal diameter in patients with symptomatic heart disease due to de novo native coronary artery lesions (lesions < / = 28mm) with reference vessel diameters of 2.5mm to 4.25mm. Additional information about XIENCE V, including important safety information, is available online at www.xiencev.com or www.abbottvascular.com/en_US/content/document/eIFU_XienceV.pdf.
About Abbott Vascular
Abbott Vascular, a division of Abbott, is one of the world's leading vascular care businesses. Abbott Vascular is uniquely focused on advancing the treatment of vascular disease and improving patient care by combining the latest medical device innovations with world-class pharmaceuticals, investing in research and development, and advancing medicine through training and education. Headquartered in Northern California, Abbott Vascular offers a comprehensive portfolio of vessel closure, endovascular and coronary products.
About Abbott
Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs more than 72,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries. Abbott has been operating in Canada since 1931 and its Canadian operations are headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. Abbott Canada employs more than 2,000 people.
Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's Web site at www.abbott.ca and www.abbott.com.