Boston Scientific Launches Taxus Element DES in Europe

June 10, 2010—Boston Scientific Corporation (Natick, MA) announced the market launch of its Taxus Element paclitaxel-eluting coronary stent system in the European Union and other CE Mark countries. The Taxus Element, which incorporates a platinum chromium alloy, utilizes Boston Scientific's third-generation drug-eluting stent (DES) technology. In May, it received CE Mark approval, which included a specific indication for treating diabetic patients. Corrado Tamburino, MD, in Italy, and Adrian Banning, MD, in the United Kingdom, performed the initial procedures with the device.

“I have found the Taxus Element stent to offer performance advantages in flexibility, visibility, and deliverability over previous-generation stents,” commented Dr. Tamburino. “The platinum chromium alloy and new stent design used in the Element platform, together with the Taxus drug and polymer, represent a significant advance in coronary stenting.”

Dr. Banning added, “The diabetic indication for the Taxus Element stent system provides an important benefit given that approximately one third of all patients presenting with coronary artery disease in Europe have diabetes. Diabetic patients with coronary artery disease often have poorer outcomes after revascularization procedures. The Taxus Element stent has a unique mechanism of action that helps inhibit restenosis in high-risk patients with diabetes.”

At the American College of Cardiology's 59th annual scientific sessions in March, Dean Kereiakes, MD, presented 12-month results from the company's PERSEUS clinical program that supported the safety and efficacy of the Taxus Element. PERSEUS includes a workhorse lesions trial and a small vessels trial. Click here to read Cardiac Interventions Today's coverage of the presentation. On May 19, the workhorse trial data were published online ahead of print in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Boston Scientific's Promus Element everolimus-eluting stent system received CE Mark approval in October 2009. The Promus and Taxus Element stent systems incorporate the same platinum chromium alloy, stent design, and catheter delivery system. In the United States and Japan, the company expects approval for the Taxus Element in mid 2011 and for the Promus Element in mid 2012.