Johnson & Johnson’s (JNJ) new drug coated stent did not cut it. The experimental drug-coated stent failed to meet its primary goal in a study, according to Reuters. "The CoStar stent is one of several in a next generation of the drug-coated devices that companies and analysts hope will restart growth, which has been slumping amid safety worries."

Boston Scientific (BSX) has watched its fortunes fall apart because of health concerns about the performance of its stents. The open issue has been whether these devices cause dangerous blood clots.

It does not seem to be a problem that anyone has solved.

Douglas A. McIntyre