By DOUGLAS HAMILTON
AORTECH International, an AIM-listed biomaterials and medical device development company, saw its shares rise by almost 4per cent yesterday after it said its early-stage clinical use of a proprietary biostable co-polymer, Elast-Eon, in pulmonary support tubes (known as cannulae) has been successful.
Elast-Eon was used in a device intended to help provide life- saving lung support to patients suffering from acute lung failure. AorTech said it developed Elast-Eon, which was designed and manufactured by the privately held Avalon Laboratories, a major supplier of cardiopulmonary vascular cannulae. Cannulae are disposable components that connect patients to heart and lung machines and other circulatory support devices.
The first human use of these products has occurred in the UK. Preparations are being made for introducing them to the US market after they win approval from the Federal Drug Administration.
This first clinical use follows the exclusive licence granted to Avalon for the use of Elast-Eon in cardiac and pulmonary cannulae products in December 2006.
AorTech also said ElastEon is being assessed for a range of additional applications including morbid obesity, neurostimulation, diabetes, women’s health and cardiovascular devices.
AorTech shares, which are widely held in Scotland and elsewhere, closed 10p higher at 265p – an advance of 3.9per cent.
Originally published by Newsquest Media Group.
(c) 2008 Herald, The; Glasgow (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.
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