A Medical Device Daily

SurModics (Eden Prairie, Minnesota) and X-Cell Medical (Princeton, New Jersey) reported that they have entered into a license agreement for the use of SurModics' Bravo drug delivery polymer matrix with X-Cell's Ethos drug eluting coronary stent system.

The Ethos drug-eluting stent incorporates the Bravo polymer matrix to deliver a second generation formulation of 17 beta-estradiol, an approved drug used in hormone replacement therapy and other indications. A principal design goal of the Ethos stent is to enhance safety and reduce late-stent thrombosis.

“We are pleased to be collaborating with the team at X-Cell Medical on the development of their novel drug eluting stent, which incorporates a drug compound with a different mode of action than other drugs used to date,” said Bruce Barclay, president/CEO of SurModics. “The early patient safety and efficacy data from X-Cell's clinical trials are compelling, and we are encouraged by the prospects of a differentiated product following regulatory approval.”

iCAD (Nashua, New Hampshire), a provider of computer-aided detection (CAD) solutions, and FujiFilm Medical Systems USA (Stamford, Connecticut), a provider of digital mammography technology, reported that Fuji will offer iCAD products through its U.S. sales channels.

FujiiFilm said iCAD's SecondLook Digital and TotalLook products with the newly released version 7.2 broaden and strengthen the Fuji Computed Radiography for Mammography (FCRm) offerings by providing computer-aided cancer detection capabilities and a complete transition to digital mammography.

“The agreement with iCAD allows Fuji to offer a comprehensive solution to our customers. We plan to offer the standard-of-care iCAD products with our multiple digital mammography solutions,” says Andy Vandergrift, national marketing manager, Women's Healthcare at Fuji. “FCRm represents the most recent digital mammography system to have passed the FDA's rigorous PMA process. Since the ACRIN-DMIST found digital mammography to be more accurate than film screen for a considerable percentage of women in the trial, more facilities have been actively seeking a digital mammography solution that best meets their clinical and workflow needs.”