Spectranetics Corporation (SPNC) Initiates Voluntary Recall of Specific Lots of Thrombus Extraction Catheter
7/6/2010
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Jul 01, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Spectranetics Corporation /quotes/comstock/15*!spnc/quotes/nls/spnc (SPNC 5.19, +0.03, +0.58%) today initiated a voluntary recall of specific lots of its thrombus extraction catheter (product number 60090-01) manufactured by Spectranetics since October 2009. The Food and Drug Administration has been informed of this action and communication to various Competent Authorities outside of the United States has begun. While Spectranetics has received and confirmed customer complaints on this issue, no adverse events have been reported to the Company. Customers who have received the affected lots of product will receive a letter from Spectranetics with requested actions and product replacement instructions. A manufacturing process improvement to correct the issue has been implemented and product is available for shipment.
The occurrence of this issue is very low and may result in a blocked guidewire lumen that restricts the loading of the thrombus extraction catheter onto the guidewire prior to insertion of the catheter into the patient.
The Company plans to replace all affected units and estimates costs in the range of $250,000 to $400,000, which will be recorded within cost of goods sold during the quarter ended June 30, 2010. The cost estimate includes replacement of customer inventory as well as the write-off of Spectranetics inventory impacted by this issue. Inventory of the thrombus extraction catheter is currently available and production volumes have been increased so that all customer demand and replacement product can be fulfilled over the next several weeks.
"We are committed to deliver high-quality devices to our customers and their patients. We will endeavor to complete this voluntary action and the replacement of affected product in an expedient manner," stated Emile J. Geisenheimer, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.
About Spectranetics
Spectranetics develops, manufactures, markets and distributes single-use medical devices used in minimally invasive procedures within the cardiovascular system. The Company's products are sold in 40 countries throughout the world and are used to treat arterial blockages in the heart and legs as well as the removal of problematic pacemaker and defibrillator leads.
The Company's Vascular Intervention (VI) products include a range of peripheral and cardiac laser catheters for ablation of occluded arteries above and below the knee and within coronary arteries. The Company also markets aspiration and thrombectomy catheters for the removal of thrombus and support catheters to facilitate crossing of coronary and peripheral arterial blockages.
The Lead Management (LM) product line includes excimer laser sheaths and cardiac lead management accessories for the removal of problematic pacemaker and defibrillator cardiac leads.
For more information, visit www.spectranetics.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements are based on current assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties may include adverse results of the securities litigation and related litigation in which the Company or any of its officers or directors is a party, insufficient insurance coverage or the denial of insurance coverage related to legal costs or any settlement or judgment in connection with these proceedings, adverse impact to our business of the recently enacted healthcare reform bill and related legislation, continued or worsening adverse conditions in the general domestic and global economic markets and continued volatility and disruption of the credit markets, which, among other things, affects the ability of hospitals and other health care systems to obtain credit and may impede our access to capital and has rendered our investments in auction rate securities illiquid, market acceptance of excimer laser atherectomy technology, increasing price and product competition, increased pressure on expense levels resulting from expanded sales, marketing, product development and clinical activities, uncertain success of the Company's strategic direction, dependence on new product development, intellectual property claims of third parties, availability of inventory from suppliers, adverse outcome of FDA inspections, the receipt of FDA approval to market new products or applications and the timeliness of any approvals, market acceptance of new products or applications, product defects, ability to manufacture sufficient volumes to fulfill customer demand, availability of vendor-sourced components at reasonable prices, unexpected delays or costs associated with the Company's relocation and consolidation of its manufacturing operations, and price volatility due to the initiation or cessation of coverage, or changes in ratings, by securities analysts. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any anticipated results, performance or achievements, please see the Company's previously filed SEC reports. Spectranetics disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any financial projections or forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.