BOTHELL, Wash., March 21 /PRNewswire/ -- EKOS(R) Corporation today announced it has secured $26 million in series C financing enabling the formation of a commercial sales and marketing team to support the company’s flagship ultrasound-assisted, fluid infusion catheters. The EKOS products have recently demonstrated positive outcomes in three clinical studies presented at major industry conferences. The investment was led by Ascension Health Ventures, with additional support from new investors Oakwood Medical Investors and Trellis Health Ventures as well as previous investors CID Equity Capital, EGS Private Healthcare Investors, MedVenture Associates, Mitsui & Co. Venture Partners, Morgan Stanley Venture Partners and NGN Capital.
EKOS is the world leader in providing ultrasound-assisted, fluid infusion catheters for diagnosis and therapy. The company’s EKOS(R) Lysus(R) Peripheral Infusion System and EKOS(R) Micro-Infusion Catheter are cleared for the delivery of therapeutic agents, including clot-dissolving thrombolytics, into the peripheral vasculature of patients with peripheral arterial occlusions (PAO) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The EKOS Micro-Infusion Catheter is also cleared for the administration of contrast media into the brain. A Phase II study, using the Micro-Infusion Catheter and sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has shown promising results in the treatment of ischemic thrombo-embolic stroke.
“The corporate growth made possible by this round of financing is important not only for EKOS, but also for the significant populations that suffer with peripheral vascular diseases or are at risk for ischemic stroke,” said Peter Rule, chairman and chief executive officer of EKOS. “The sales and marketing team we have established will enable us to bring the benefits of our ultrasound-assisted technology to many more medical institutions across the country and, as a result, benefit many more patients.”
The company’s new sales and marketing team is headed by two additions to the company: Michael Dellario, vice president of marketing and Jennifer Vaughan, vice president of sales. Dellario most recently spent 13 years with AngioDynamics where he worked with the company’s thrombolytic devices. Vaughan, who has more than 15 years of experience in the medical device industry, comes to EKOS from Guidant Corporation where, most recently, she served as the director of sales for cardiac surgery. In addition to hiring Dellario and Vaughn, EKOS announced the appointment of Doug Hansmann to chief operating officer. Hansmann, a co-founder of EKOS, most recently served as general manager and vice president of research for the company.
“When you look at the company’s recent progress, it is clear that EKOS has significant momentum with both its peripheral and neuro products,” said Tara Butler. M.D., investment manager, Ascension Health Ventures. “Our investment recognizes the company’s unique technology that can address important needs in the treatment of vascular diseases.”
Presented at the International Stroke Conference in February, results of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-sponsored Interventional Management of Stroke II (IMS II) trial, which used the EKOS Micro-Infusion Catheter in 41 of the 73 cases, demonstrated a higher rate of reopening of blocked brain arteries for patients who suffered from ischemic stroke than the standard catheters used in Phase I of the trial. As a result of the positive findings of IMS II, NIH will commence a 40-center Phase III trial later this year to further study the efficacy of intra-arterial (IA) drug delivery using the EKOS Micro-Infusion Catheter combined with more traditional intravenous (IV) approach for ischemic stroke.
Similarly, at the International Symposium on Endovascular Therapy (ISET) in January, two studies were presented demonstrating that the EKOS Lysus Peripheral System cleared blood clots more quickly, more completely and with fewer complications than standard catheters in the treatment of patients with PAO and DVT.
About EKOS Corporation
EKOS Corporation, a privately held company based in Bothell, Washington, is the world leader in providing ultrasound-assisted, fluid infusion catheters for diagnosis and therapy. Founded in 1995, the company’s products restore blood flow more quickly than traditional catheters in patients with peripheral vascular disease, including peripheral arterial occlusions (PAO) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Its technology also has shown promising results in a National Institutes of Health-sponsored study investigating treatments for ischemic stroke. For more information about EKOS, visit: http://www.EKOScorp.com
Media Contact: Jeff Speer FischerHealth 310-577-7870, ext. 156 jspeer@fischerhealth.com
EKOS Corporation
CONTACT: Jeff Speer of FischerHealth, +1-310-577-7870, ext. 156,jspeer@fischerhealth.com, for EKOS Corporation
Web site: http://www.EKOScorp.com/
