MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA--(Marketwire - January 14, 2009) - Royal Philips Electronics and Hansen Medical, Inc. (NASDAQ: HNSN) today announced that they have signed joint development and cooperation agreements to co-develop integrated products that may simplify complex cardiac procedures to diagnose and treat irregular heartbeats, also known as arrhythmias.
Cardiac arrhythmias can drastically reduce the quality of life and can also lead to serious health risks including heart failure and stroke. Nearly 550,000 new patients are diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmias in the United States each year and arrhythmias cause approximately 250,000 deaths annually according to the Heart Rhythm Foundation and the American College of Cardiology. The condition also affects over 4.5 million people in Europe.
The agreements will enable the creation of integrated product solutions by combining Philips’ Allura Xper X-Ray system with Hansen Medical’s Sensei® Robotic Catheter System. The resulting innovations will seek to enable electrophysiologists to perform complex procedures with greater confidence and improved efficiency.
“This agreement is an important step in the development of our dedicated electrophysiology business program,” said Gerard Winkels, vice president and general manager, Electrophysiology for Philips Healthcare. “By collaborating with best-in-class companies such as Hansen Medical, we’re able to develop comprehensive solutions designed around the needs of the electrophysiologist.”
“We are very pleased about the relationship we have with Philips,” said Gary Restani, president and COO of Hansen Medical. “We believe that combining our efforts will allow us to provide enhanced value and improved capabilities to our customers as this alliance is targeted at developing integrated solutions that will impact not only visualization, but also instinctive driving within 3D anatomical models.”
The Sensei system allows physicians to place mapping catheters in hard-to-reach anatomical locations within the heart easily, accurately and with stability during cardiac arrhythmia procedures.
The Philips’ integrated EP lab system combines the proven Allura Xper X-Ray family with specifically designed innovations like EP cockpit and EP navigator to improve the lab environment, facilitating complex procedures and integrating the EP workflow process.
About Hansen Medical, Inc.
Hansen Medical, Inc., based in Mountain View, Calif., develops products and technology using robotics for the accurate positioning, manipulation and control of catheters and catheter-based technologies. Its first product, the Sensei® Robotic Catheter system, is a robotic navigation system that enables clinicians to place mapping catheters in hard-to-reach anatomical locations within the heart easily, accurately and with stability during complex cardiac arrhythmia procedures. The Sensei system is compatible with fluoroscopy, ultrasound, 3D surface map and patient electrocardiogram data and was cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2007 for manipulation and control of certain mapping catheters in Electrophysiology (EP) procedures. The safety and effectiveness of the Sensei system for use with cardiac ablation catheters in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation (AF), have not been established. The Sensei system is CE Marked for use during EP procedures, such as guiding catheters in the treatment of AF. Additional information can be found at www.hansenmedical.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding, among other things, statements relating to expectations, goals, plans, objectives and future events. Hansen Medical intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in Section 21E of the Exchange Act and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Examples of such statements include statements about the creation of integrated products and the resulting benefits of such products. These statements are based on the current estimates and assumptions of Hansen Medical management as of the date of this press release and are subject to risks, uncertainties, changes in circumstances, assumptions and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements include, among others, the risks and uncertainties inherent in Hansen Medical’s business, including potential safety and regulatory issues that could slow or suspend its sales; its ability to effectively sell, service and support its products; the scope and validity of intellectual property rights applicable to its products; competition from other companies; and its ability to obtain additional financing to support its operations. These and other risks are described in greater detail under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in Hansen Medical’s periodic SEC filings, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 5, 2008. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Hansen Medical undertakes no obligation to revise or update information herein to reflect events or circumstances in the future, even if new information becomes available.
Sensei, IntelliSense, Hansen Medical and Heart Logo and Hansen Medical Heart Logo are registered trademarks and Artisan and CoHesion are trademarks of Hansen Medical, Inc. in the United States and other countries.
Media inquiries, please contact:
Philips Healthcare
North America
Ian Race
Tel: +1 978 659 4624
Email: Email Contact
EMEA
Mark Groves
Tel: +31 653 179 850
Email: Email Contact
Hansen Medical
Amy Cook
Tel: +1 925 552 7893
Email: Email Contact