FRANKLIN, Mass., Dec. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PLC Systems Inc. announced today that it has received the CE Mark Certificate for its RenalGuard System(TM), clearing the way for the Company to begin its initial launch of the product in the European Union. The Company expects to initiate a limited launch of RenalGuard(TM) in the first quarter of 2008 in Italy, targeting early adoptors who recognize the benefits of utilizing the unique fluid balancing capabilities of the RenalGuard System in a cath lab setting during cardiovascular imaging procedures for patients at higher risk of Contrast-Induced Nephropathy (CIN).
PLC’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Mark R. Tauscher, said, “Receiving the CE Mark for RenalGuard is an important milestone for PLC in the development of our new product initiative. We are very enthusiastic about the potential opportunity for the RenalGuard System in Europe and look forward to working with leading practitioners there to introduce it to the market.”
Mr. Tauscher added, “Our initial launch in Italy will be supported by the previously announced planned clinical trial at the Centro Cardiologico Monzino (CCM-University of Milan) in Milan, Italy, led by Drs. Antonio Bartorelli and Giancarlo Marenzi, two of the world’s leading experts in the prevention of CIN. We anticipate that this study will receive final approval by the ethics committee at CCM and will greatly increase the visibility of our RenalGuard System and that the data gathered from the study will enable us to seek expanded claims in order to market RenalGuard as a CIN prevention device throughout the European Union.”
Having secured CE Mark approval for RenalGuard, PLC expects to conclude negotiations with an Italian distribution partner shortly. Finalization of a distribution agreement is expected to include an initial stocking order of product from the distributor to support the initial sales launch of RenalGuard at select hospital sites throughout Italy.
Contrast-Induced Nephropathy
Approximately seven million patients worldwide undergo interventional cardiovascular therapeutic and diagnostic imaging procedures each year. Contrast-induced nephropathy, or CIN, is a major and growing problem due to the increasing number of older patients, diabetics and patients with pre- existing renal failure -- all of whose conditions make them at risk for CIN when they require interventional procedures that use radiographic contrast media. CIN is the third most common cause of in-hospital acute renal failure. It is associated with significant in-hospital mortality rates, and increases in long-term mortality rates, major in-hospital adverse cardiac events, and the risk of having to undergo renal dialysis therapy. Any of these can result in prolonged hospital stays and increased medical costs. Studies indicate that approximately 15-20% of all patients undergoing image-guided cardiology and radiology procedures are at risk of developing CIN. The estimated mortality rate for patients that acquire CIN may be as high as 35%.
RenalGuard is based on existing pre-clinical study data that suggests that initiating and maintaining high urine output during imaging procedures allows the body to rapidly eliminate toxins in contrast media, reducing their harmful effects. RenalGuard is a fully-automated, real-time matched fluid replacement device intended for interventional cardiology and radiology patients undergoing imaging procedures using contrast media.
About PLC Systems Inc.
PLC Systems Inc. is a medical technology company specializing in innovative technologies for the cardiac and vascular markets. Headquartered in Franklin, Mass., PLC pioneered the CO2 Heart Laser System, which cardiac surgeons use to perform CO2 transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) to alleviate symptoms of severe angina. CO2 TMR offers a treatment option for angina patients who suffer from severe coronary artery disease. The CO2 Heart Laser is the world’s first TMR angina relief device cleared for commercial distribution by both the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and to obtain a CE Mark for European distribution.
The company recently concluded a pilot clinical safety study of its RenalGuard Therapy(TM) and RenalGuard System. RenalGuard Therapy is designed to reduce the toxic effects that contrast media can have on the kidneys. This therapy is based on the theory that creating and maintaining a high urine output is beneficial to patients undergoing imaging procedures where contrast agents are used. The real-time measurement and matched fluid replacement design of the RenalGuard System is intended to ensure that a high urine flow is maintained before, during and after these procedures. This should allow the body to rapidly eliminate contrast, reducing its toxic effects. The RenalGuard System, with its matched fluid replacement capability, is intended to minimize the risk of over- or under-hydration.
Additional company information can be found at http://www.plcmed.com.
This press release contains “forward-looking” statements. For this purpose, any statements contained in this press release that relate to prospective events or developments are deemed to be forward-looking statements. Words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “expects,” “will” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Our statements of our objectives are also forward-looking statements. While we may elect to update forward-looking statements in the future, we specifically disclaim any obligation to do so, even if our estimates change, and you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. Actual results could differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of important factors, including that we may not receive necessary regulatory approvals to market our RenalGuard product or that such approvals may be withdrawn, the clinical trials for that product may not be successful, the RenalGuard product may not be commercially accepted, operational changes, competitive developments may affect the market for our products, regulatory approval requirements may affect the market for our products, and additional risk factors described in our Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, and our other SEC reports.
PLC Systems, PLC Medical Systems, PLC and CO2 Heart Laser, RenalGuard, RenalGuard Therapy and RenalGuard System are trademarks of PLC Systems Inc.
mtconway@att.net
CONTACT: Mary T. Conway of Conway Communications, +1-617-244-9682,
mtconway@att.net, for PLC Systems Inc.
Web site: http://www.plcmed.com/
