ATLANTA, June 15, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- CorMatrix(R) Cardiovascular, a medical device company dedicated to developing and delivering unique extracellular matrix (ECM) biomaterial devices that harness the body's innate ability to repair damaged cardiovascular tissue, announced today it has received CE mark for its CorMatrix ECM for Cardiac Tissue Repair. With this designation, CorMatrix is now able to market this product in European Union countries.
This CE mark will allow surgeons in Europe to expand their use of CorMatrix ECM to patients needing cardiac tissue repair, said Beecher Lewis, President and Chief Operating Officer, CorMatrix. We believe this additional indication will allow us to significantly expand our presence outside of the United States and drive growth in key markets.
CorMatrix's ECM for Cardiac Tissue Repair is used to repair heart structures during open heart surgery - such as closing a hole in the heart (known as atrial septal defect or ASD). During surgery, CorMatrix ECM is sutured onto the heart tissue in need of repair. It then serves as a scaffold, enabling the body's own cells to infiltrate and ultimately replace and remodel the implanted ECM with native tissue. The anatomy is restored naturally through the course of the body's innate wound healing process. It works differently than other available surgical materials, as CorMatrix ECM allows for repair of damaged tissue without leaving permanent synthetic or foreign materials in the body, which can result in unwanted effects.
Through my experience using CorMatrix ECM for pericardial closure procedures, we've seen that it supports native tissue repair and provides favorable outcomes for patients, said Prof. Giovanni Stellin, Chief pediatric cardiac surgeon at the University of Padova. The cardiac tissue repair product will be a welcome addition to our surgical protocol.
Surgeons attending the International Society for Minimally Invasive Cardiovascular Surgery (ISMICS) meeting in Berlin, June 16-19, 2010, may hear more about CorMatrix ECM by visiting booth #6293 or during two poster presentations featuring CorMatrix ECM Technology on Thursday, June 17.
CorMatrix ECM Technology has been commercially available in the U.S. since 2006 and has been implanted in nearly 20,000 cardiac surgery procedures at more than 300 hospitals in the U.S.
About CorMatrix ECM Technology
CorMatrix Cardiovascular holds an exclusive license from Purdue University to research, develop, manufacture and market naturally occurring ECM products for cardiovascular applications. The company currently has U.S. clearance and European approval with a CE Mark for its ECM Technology as an implant for pericardial closure and for use in cardiac tissue repair.
About CorMatrix Cardiovascular, Inc.
CorMatrix Cardiovascular, a privately held company based in Atlanta, Georgia, is dedicated to developing and delivering innovative cardiovascular devices that harness the body's innate ability to remodel damaged tissue. For more information, visit http://www.cormatrix.com.
SOURCE: CorMatrix Cardiovascular, Inc.
CONTACT: Becky Soja of WCG, +1-415-946-1080, bsoja@wcgworld.com, forCorMatrix Cardiovascular, Inc.
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