Maquet Medical Systems USA, A Getinge Group Company Announces Partnership with BIOTRONIK to Distribute Endovascular Medical Devices in United States

WAYNE, N.J., Feb. 3, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Maquet Medical Systems USA, a Getinge Group Company announced today that it has entered into a partnership with BIOTRONIK, a Berlin, Germany-based manufacturer of cardiovascular and endovascular medical devices, to distribute BIOTRONIK's peripheral vascular devices in the United States.

Under the terms of the agreement, Maquet will distribute a range of BIOTRONIK products used to treat peripheral artery disease (PAD). These include the Astron iliac self-expanding stent, which was recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of iliac artery disease, the Passeo percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) balloon family, and the Fortress family of reinforced sheaths. Maquet will begin distributing BIOTRONIK's products during the first quarter of 2016.

"Peripheral artery disease is a serious condition that can lead to amputations. Because the global prevalence of this disease is increasing, the need for innovative endovascular devices with which to treat patients is growing," said Raoul Quintero, President of the Americas at Getinge Group. "Partnering with BIOTRONIK allows us to enhance our current product offerings and expand our existing portfolio of vascular grafts and patches. With the addition of BIOTRONIK's innovative product line, we can now provide PAD patients in the United States and the vascular surgeons who treat them with a complete range of technically-advanced, high-quality endovascular devices."

"We are pleased to partner with Maquet to make our proven vascular intervention products available to patients and physicians in the United States," said Marlou Janssen, President of BIOTRONIK, Inc. "Maquet is a highly-regarded medical device company that has a wealth of experience marketing innovative technology to clinicians. This partnership will ensure that our peripheral vascular product line, including our newly approved Astron iliac stent, will now benefit patients in the United States."

About Maquet's Vascular Device Portfolio
Maquet's vascular device portfolio includes a full line of vascular grafts and patches, which have been implanted in millions of patients worldwide. This extensive portfolio includes the FUSION BIOLINE Vascular Graft, FLIXENE, and the HEMASHIELD family of vascular grafts and patches.  Maquet's vascular products will be complemented by BIOTRONIK's product line, which includes the Astron stent, a proven option for treating atherosclerotic disease of the common or external iliac arteries, which supply blood to the pelvic organs and much of the lower limbs. Atherosclerotic disease of the iliac arteries can greatly impact a patient's overall quality of life, limiting walking ability and leading to chronic pain and morbidity. Endovascular interventions, including angioplasty and stenting, have become the first-line approach for the treatment of patients with simple and complex peripheral atherosclerotic lesions, including challenging-to-access iliac lesions. In 2014, an estimated 176,800 patients in the United States received an iliac stent, and that number is expected to grow annually. Results of a 12-month study of Astron demonstrated a Major Adverse Event (MAE) rate of just 2.1 percent compared with the pre-specified performance goal of 15 percent. Astron's 12-month target lesion revascularization rate was 1.4 percent.

About Getinge Group
Getinge Group is a leading global provider of innovative solutions for operating rooms, intensive-care units, hospital wards, sterilization departments, elderly care and for life science companies and institutions. With a genuine passion for life we build quality and safety into every system. Our unique value proposition mirrors the continuum of care, enhancing efficiency throughout the clinical pathway. Based on our first-hand experience and close partnerships, we are able to exceed expectations from customers – improving the every-day life for people, today and tomorrow.

About BIOTRONIK
One of the world's leading manufacturers of cardio- and endovascular medical devices, BIOTRONIK is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, and represented in over 100 countries. Several million patients have received BIOTRONIK implants designed to save and improve the quality of their lives, or have been treated with BIOTRONIK coronary and peripheral vascular intervention products.

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SOURCE Maquet Medical Systems USA