An experimental stent from Abbott Laboratories may threaten the market-leading positions held by Boston Scientific and Johnson & Johnson based on positive results from two new studies

A new form of stent made by Abbott that dissolves in arteries after being implanted for about three years delivered a promising finding in its first human trial. Separately, Abbott’s Xience, a permanent drug-coated stent marketed in Europe, was found superior to Boston Scientific’s Taxus, the top US seller, at keeping treated vessels open.

The findings position Xience at the front edge of new technology in the $5.4 billion-a-year drug-coated stent market, where devices seen as easier and safer to use are needed to help revive faltering sales. Patients getting Xience had fewer cardiac deaths, heart attacks and repeat procedures months later.

Xience patients “were less likely to have blockages recur at eight months,” says lead researcher Gregg Stone, director of cardiovascular research at Columbia University Medical Center. “What that means for the patient is better long-term outcomes without recurrent heart problems.”

Press release describing the study;
Study abstract;
Abbott statement on new type of stent;
Abbott statement on Xience;
Bloomberg News story.
[tags]Abbott Laboratories, Boston Scientific, Johnson & Johnson, Stents, Xience[/tags]