DIAMOND BAR, Calif. and MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., March 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Biosense Webster, a Johnson & Johnson company, and Siemens Medical Solutions today announced a strategic alliance giving Biosense Webster exclusive worldwide rights to distribute Siemens’ state-of-the-art cardiac catheters, ACUSON AcuNav(TM) ultrasound catheters, to electrophysiologists. Siemens will continue to distribute AcuNav ultrasound catheters to interventional cardiologists through its own sales force. The two companies also agreed to co-develop future products.
Siemens AcuNav ultrasound catheters provide real-time ultrasound imaging inside the heart as well as direct visualization of both blood flow and other catheters. The AcuNav ultrasound catheters provide physicians with high quality diagnostic images and Doppler blood flow information throughout the entire heart during a cardiac catheterization procedure. Approved for marketing in 1999, AcuNav ultrasound catheters are known for state-of-the-art quality and are currently the world’s leading cardiac imaging catheters.
Biosense Webster is a key player in the electrophysiology market and Siemens is an ultrasound industry leader. This strategic alliance will enable these two companies to address the real-time imaging needs of electrophysiologists and their patients.
“We are pleased to announce this strategic alliance with Siemens Medical Solutions Ultrasound Division. This agreement provides potential opportunities to assess how AcuNav can be combined with our unique cardiac mapping and navigation systems,” said Roy Tanaka, president, Biosense Webster. “Together, Biosense Webster and Siemens will better serve the needs of electrophysiologists around the world help millions of patients each year who suffer from cardiac arrhythmias.”
“Through our work with Biosense Webster, we are moving another step closer to providing the innovative technology needed to handle the growing cardiac patient population,” said Klaus Hambuechen, president, Ultrasound Division of Siemens Medical Solutions. “Biosense Webster brings a wealth of expertise that will help Siemens advance patient care to new levels.”
The agreement, which allows for co-development opportunities between Biosense Webster and Siemens, is welcomed news to electrophysiologists.
“We are excited about this alliance between these two companies -- Biosense Webster’s expertise in the field of electrophysiology and Siemens’ leadership in ultrasound is an ideal combination to help develop future technologies,” said Vivek Y. Reddy, M.D., of the Mass General Hospital in Boston. “The potential innovations born through this agreement may help advance the field of electrophysiology which could, in turn, help us better serve the needs of our patients.”
About Biosense Webster
Biosense Webster Inc, a Johnson & Johnson Company, pioneered EP diagnostic catheters more than 30 years ago and continues to lead the industry as an innovative provider of advanced diagnostic, therapeutic, and mapping tools. As the leader in navigation systems, Biosense Webster’s technology includes the largest installed base of navigation systems worldwide in leading hospitals and teaching institutions. With proprietary products such as the CartoMerge(TM) Image Integration Software Module, the ThermoCool(R) Irrigated Tip Catheter and the Lasso(R) Circular Variable Mapping Catheter, the company is changing the way electrophysiologists diagnose and treat arrhythmias.
About Siemens Medical Solutions
Siemens Medical Solutions of Siemens AG with headquarters in Malvern, Pennsylvania, and Erlangen, Germany, is one of the largest suppliers to the healthcare industry in the world. The company is known for bringing together innovative medical technologies, healthcare information systems, management consulting, and support services, to help customers achieve tangible, sustainable, clinical and financial outcomes. Employing approximately 33,000 people worldwide and operating in more than 120 countries, Siemens Medical Solutions reported sales of 7.6 billion EUR, orders of 8.6 billion EUR and group profit of 976 million EUR for fiscal 2005. More information can be obtained by visiting www.usa.siemens.com/medical-pressroom.
Biosense Webster, a Johnson & Johnson Company
CONTACT: Kim Thompson, Biosense Webster, Inc., +1-909-839-8553,kthomps5@bwius.jnj.com; Amanda Naiman, Siemens Medical Solutions,+1-610-448-4531, amanda.naiman@siemens.com
