MIAMI LAKES, Fla., and WARREN, N.J., April 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Cordis Corporation announced today plans to develop a world-class global cardiac and vascular institute that will provide physicians and other health care providers with educational and clinical resources designed to help advance the understanding and treatment of a broad range of cardiac and vascular conditions, including coronary artery disease and stroke. The institute will also enhance knowledge around the management of congestive heart failure, adult cell therapy and advanced cardiac imaging, mapping and ablation.
The Cordis Global Cardiac & Vascular Institute (CCVI) will act as a direct line to physicians and other health care providers, helping to identify their needs as well as those of patients. Currently more than 120 million people globally are treated for vascular conditions.
“As the leader in cardiology and vascular health, we are in a unique position to help physicians and other health care professionals to significantly advance the treatment of cardiac and vascular disease,” said Rick Anderson, Company Group Chairman, Johnson & Johnson and Worldwide Franchise Chairman, Cordis Corporation.
“To that, we are dedicating significant resources through CCVI to partner with the global medical community in creating a world-class global enterprise that will expand the reach of technology, enhance procedural expertise, and serve patients, physicians and other health care providers for decades to come.”
The multi-faceted Cordis Global Cardiac & Vascular Institute will include global initiatives such as fellows programs, proctorships, professional training and education and innovative technology to treat a range of cardiac and vascular conditions. In addition, CCVI will focus on building physician and health care provider expertise in emerging markets.
The CCVI will unite current and future training centers around the world, including facilities in China, Europe, Latin America, India, Japan, and the United States, to encourage new technology and procedure development across vascular, cardiology and electrophysiology areas. A multitude of portable simulators will continue to bring training directly to physicians and other health care providers and facilitate education outside of the designated facilities.
“We are pleased with this commitment from Cordis Corporation to advance the treatment and understanding of the many facets of cardiovascular disease,” stated William O’Neill, M.D., Chairman, Department of Cardiology, William Beaumont Hospital in Michigan.
“As patient disease becomes more complex, there is a greater need for comprehensive training and education that allows physicians and other health care providers to stay abreast of the latest technologies and treatments. Cordis recognizes this and has taken a leadership role in forging partnerships that meet this need,” O’Neill continued.
To help guide the creation of the CCVI, Cordis Corporation also announced today that it will convene a group of international thought leaders from various fields -- cardiology, endovascular medicine, neurovascular medicine, cardiac rhythm management and stroke -- as well as international representatives of cardiac and vascular professional and patient organizations, to serve as technical and strategic advisors. The first global summit of international leaders will take place during the EuroPCR annual meeting in Paris in May.
“Our goal for launching this exciting program is to improve the training and procedure development of physicians and other health care providers worldwide,” Anderson said. “Working with leading societies in cardiac and vascular medicine, we will combine our strength to create the worldwide standard for physician and health care professional training and education.”
Cordis Corporation is comprised of a variety of companies and business units already on the forefront of vascular disease treatment. Through the CCVI, physicians and other health care providers will benefit from the variety of current and future technologies advancing the treatment of patients with vascular diseases.
About Cordis Corporation
Cordis Corporation, a Johnson & Johnson company, is a worldwide leader in developing and manufacturing interventional vascular technology. Through the company’s innovation, research and development, physicians worldwide are better able to treat the millions of patients who suffer from vascular disease.
Cordis Cardiology, a division of Cordis Corporation
The CYPHER(R) Stent has been chosen by cardiologists worldwide to treat more than 1.7 million patients with coronary artery disease and is the world’s leading drug-eluting stent. The CYPHER SELECT(TM) Sirolimus-eluting Coronary Stent, which is the first next generation drug-eluting stent, was launched in Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Canada in 2003.
Cordis Endovascular, a division of Cordis Corporation
Cordis Endovascular is a recognized leader in endovascular research and development, which constantly seeks solutions to the human anatomy’s most challenging problems. Together with LuMend Inc., Cordis Endovascular is focused on delivering technology and services to interventional cardiologists, radiologists and vascular surgeons through the development of groundbreaking technologies for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease.
Cordis Neurovascular Inc.
Cordis Neurovascular, Inc. is focused on developing cutting edge therapies and medical device technologies for the intervention and management of stroke and other intracranial vascular diseases. Since 1991, the company has pioneered breakthrough innovations in micro-catheters, complex platinum coils and liquid embolics to treat life-threatening brain disorders including aneurysms and abnormal blood vessel formations.
Biologics Delivery Systems, a unit of Cordis Corporation
Biologics Delivery Systems Group is a leader in the emerging field of biologics delivery, developing breakthrough technology in targeted delivery across multiple disease states and clinical specialties. BDS delivery technology is advancing the standard of care by enabling physicians to identify and visualize optimal delivery sites, and to precisely target single and multiple treatment sites.
Biosense Webster, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company
Biosense Webster Inc. pioneered electrophysiology (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 worldwide installed base of navigation systems in leading hospitals and teaching institutions. The company’s portfolio of proprietary products is changing the way electrophysiologists diagnose and treat irregular heart rhythms.
* Cordis Corporation has entered into an exclusive worldwide license with Wyeth for the localized delivery of sirolimus in certain fields of use, including delivery via vascular stenting. Sirolimus, the active drug released for the stent, is marketed by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a division of Wyeth, under the name Rapamune(R). Rapamune is a trademark of Wyeth Pharmaceuticals.
Cordis Corporation
CONTACT: Christopher Allman of Cordis Cardiology, +1-305-586-6024,callman1@crdus.jnj.com; or Todd Ringler of Edelman, +1-617-872-1235,todd.ringler@edelman.com, for Cordis Cardiology
Web site: http://www.cordis.com/
