Drug-Eluting Stent Data Shows More Promise (BSX, ANPI, JNJ, SRDX, MDT, ABT)

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health funded a study which is showing further evidence to support the use of drug eluting stents over bare metal stents in heart attack patients.  This study measured stent use in diabetic patients. 

While the study did not show which exact stents were under comparison, it does at least give some timeframes.  The larger historic drug-eluting stents and their makers are Taxus by Boston Scientific (NYSE: BSX) with Angiotech (NASDAQ: ANPI) as the molecule maker for Taxus, and  Cypher by Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) with SurModics (SRDX) as the molecule maker for Cypher.

Endeavor by Medtronic (NYSE: MDT) is also a newer on the market drug-eluting stent system with approval in 2008.  Abbot Laboratories (NYSE:ABT) by Xience was not on the market at that time.  Abbott alsosupplies a private-label version of XIENCE V to Boston Scientificcalled the PROMUS.

These stocks may not move much on the focus study here and based uponthe larger diversification, but this is yet another partial victory formakers of drug-eluting stents.   It is also a win for those who arestent candidates. 

Drug-eluting stents showed improved outcomes as compared with baremetal stents in diabetics, and no excess adverse events were found withdrug-eluting stents in diabetic patients.  This data was reported byresearchers at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions2008 in New Orleans.  You can read the full study results at BioHealthInvestor.com with additional details.  This is stilljust another good feather in the cap for ALL drug eluting stent makers.

Jon C. Ogg
November 11, 2008