EXCITE ISR Landmark Study Proves Durability at 12-Months, Findings Validate Safety and Superiority of Laser Atherectomy With PTA vs. PTA Alone; Data Presented at NCVH 2015

Turbo-Tandem(TM) and Turbo-Elite(TM) Are the Only Indicated Atherectomy Devices Cleared by FDA to Treat FemPop In-Stent Restenosis (ISR); Durable Results Change Clinical Care Standards


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., May 27, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Spectranetics Corporation (Nasdaq:SPNC) today announced that 12-month data from the EXCITE ISR clinical trial were presented by Craig Walker, MD, at New Cardiovascular Horizons (NCVH) in New Orleans. Results of the landmark study show that Spectranetics' laser atherectomy devices used with PTA (also known as balloon angioplasty), are safer and more effective than PTA alone for treating femoropopliteal (FemPop) in-stent restenosis (ISR), demonstrating continued durability in 12-month results.

Dr. Walker presented the EXCITE ISR 12-month data as part of NCVH's Global Summit on Advanced Aorto-Iliac and Femoral Interventions for Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) in New Orleans. Critical data findings include:

  • Treatment using Turbo-Tandem resulted in significantly less residual stenosis and need for bailout stenting.
  • 92.9% procedural success rate using Turbo-Tandem with PTA vs. 81.7% with PTA alone (p<0.01).
  • Primary safety endpoint, major adverse events (MAEs) rates at 30 days 5.4% vs. 20.8% with PTA alone (p<0.001).
  • Primary efficacy endpoint, freedom from target lesion revascularization (TLR) through 6-months 78.3% vs. 58.9% with PTA alone (p=0.002)
  • Excimer laser atherectomy with adjunctive PTA was associated with a 43% reduction in TLR through 12-months.  (Hazard Ratio 0.57; 95% CI 0.38-0.84; p=0.005).

"This marks a major milestone for patients who suffer from FemPop ISR. EXCITE ISR data shows compelling and durable 12-month clinical results treating incredibly sick patients and sets a new standard of care—one that will change clinical practice," stated Dr. Walker, an EXCITE ISR Primary Investigator and Chairman of NCVH. "Physicians demand proven solutions, and this transformative trial—the only trial of its kind providing Level 1 data—commands attention from the cardiovascular community on behalf of the patients they treat. EXCITE ISR is having a lasting impact on physician protocols while changing lives around the world."

The EXCImer Laser Randomized Controlled Study for Treatment of FemoropopliTEal (arteries above the knee) In-Stent Restenosis (EXCITE ISR) is the first of its kind, large multicenter, prospective randomized trial ever conducted for the treatment of FemPop ISR. In July 2014, Spectranetics received a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) indication of its peripheral atherectomy products, Turbo-Tandem™ and Turbo-Elite™, to treat ISR. Other atherectomy devices are not indicated or contraindicated to treat ISR, uniquely positioning Spectranetics to capitalize on potential market opportunities of $350 million domestically and up to $750 million worldwide.

Implanting stents to open obstructed blood vessels is an important treatment for patients suffering from PAD, a disease that impacts 200 million globally. While stents deliver improved overall outcomes compared to PTA treatment, restenosis (a return of the blockage) is very common, and stent reobstruction or ISR remains therapeutically challenging.

"This year alone, as many as 400,000 patients around the world will receive stent implants to restore the flow of blood due to complications from PAD. An estimated 30% to 40% of those stents will develop restenosis, with a 65% chance of recurrence after treatment with PTA," states Kim Bridges, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Vascular Intervention, Spectranetics. "This new EXCITE data validates the safety and superiority of laser plus PTA, versus PTA alone, further differentiating our comprehensive portfolio to provide the breadth of cross, prepare and treat solutions that physicians need and patients deserve."

About EXCITE ISR

The EXCITE ISR trial was designed to enroll a maximum of 318 subjects at up to 40 sites, randomized 2:1 treatment to control with predetermined statistical analyses at 200, 250 and 300 enrolled patients. In 2014, Spectranetics announced success of the trial based on achieving highly significant statistical superiority in both safety and efficacy among 252 patients. The treatment arm is laser atherectomy combined with PTA and the control arm is PTA alone. The primary efficacy endpoint is freedom from TLR through six months. The primary safety endpoint is freedom from MAEs at 30 days. MAEs include all-cause mortality, major amputation in the target limb, or TLR.

About PTA

PTA, also known as balloon angioplasty, is a minimally invasive procedure used to open blocked or stenosed blood vessels. A balloon catheter is placed at the blockage site and inflated to compress the blockage against the vessel wall. While PTA tends to be a temporary solution, it is considered the standard of care for patients with stenosis, a narrowing of the blood vessels in the leg due to PAD, or restenosis, a recurrence of a blockage following treatment. When a stent is used and restenosis occurs, ISR can develop.

About Spectranetics

SPNC develops, manufactures, markets and distributes medical devices used in minimally invasive procedures within the cardiovascular system. The Company's products are sold in over 65 countries and are used to treat arterial blockages in the heart and legs and in the removal of pacemaker and defibrillator leads.

The Company's Vascular Intervention (VI) products include a range of laser catheters for ablation of blockages in arteries above and below the knee, the AngioSculpt® scoring balloon used in both peripheral and coronary procedures and Stellarex™ drug-coated balloon peripheral angioplasty platform, which received European CE mark approval in December 2014. The Company also markets support catheters to facilitate crossing of peripheral and coronary arterial blockages, and retrograde access and guidewire retrieval devices used in the treatment of peripheral arterial blockages, including chronic total occlusions. The Company markets aspiration and cardiac laser catheters to treat blockages in the heart.

The Lead Management (LM) product line includes excimer laser sheaths, dilator sheaths, mechanical sheaths and accessories for the removal of pacemaker and defibrillator cardiac leads.

For more information, visit www.spectranetics.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

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