Bacchus Vascular Receives Approval to Sell Its Trellis System in Europe.

Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Feb. 6, 2002

Bacchus Vascular today announced receipt of CE Mark certification for its Trellis(TM) System, a percutaneous, catheter-based delivery system for facilitating isolated delivery of physician specified agents, including thrombolytics, into the vasculature. Trellis technology is based upon a patented vibratory pharmacomechanical platform that permits extremely efficient, localized dissolution of infused fluids. By isolating the treatment area, the Trellis System is intended to provide safe and efficacious delivery of agents while offering the potential of lower infused amounts of fluids/drugs. To date, the Trellis System has already been used to successfully treat 15 patients worldwide. The company plans are to initiate a Post-CE Mark Trellis registry in Europe.

Dr. Andrew Bray, of Newcastle, Australia, has used the device several times. He commented, "I was very impressed with the Trellis System. It treats the most difficult areas, like thrombus in close proximity to a stenosis. It is less traumatic than the Fogarty Catheter, which causes embolizations and sometimes worsens the stenosis. The Trellis System is the next generation in thrombus management and will enable physicians to more safely treat vascular occlusions."

The Trellis System is used in conjunction with routinely used interventional procedures, done over a guidewire and through an introducer sheath. The procedure that employs the Trellis System is done in either an interventional/endovascular suite or a cardiac catheterization laboratory. There are no additional medications, other than the physician-specified infusion, or manipulations to the patient when using the Trellis System. The Trellis System could be an important adjunct to Percutaneous Transcatheter Angioplasty (PTA) and/or Stenting.

"The Trellis System has already been successfully used by physicians internationally and we are extremely proud of this innovative product," said Mel Schatz, president and CEO of Bacchus Vascular. "It enables a interventional cardiologist, interventional radiologist or vascular surgeon to capitalize on the recent explosion of new drug therapies and drug/device synergies. The CE Mark provides us the opportunity to bring the Trellis System to the large European interventional market."

About Bacchus Vascular

Bacchus Vascular Inc. is a rapidly emerging company focused on the discovery and development of innovative treatments for cardiovascular and peripheral vascular occlusive disease. Bacchus Vascular was founded in 1999 by Thomas J. Fogarty, M.D. Dr. Fogarty has over 40 years of experience in the development of embolectomy and thrombectomy products. Dr. Fogarty has pioneered the field of minimally invasive surgery through his inventions and in the process redefined how cardiovascular, vascular, and general surgeries are performed today. Since inception, Bacchus Vascular has developed two different and innovative lines of patented percutaneous thrombus management products: a mechanical system and pharmacomechanical system. The mechanical system product line consists of the Solera thrombectomy device, which has received 510(k) clearance and CE Marking in 2001. The company believes that it is strategically well positioned for leveraging its technology into becoming the Leader in Thrombus Management.