Possis Invests in IVC Filter Company.Deal, with Option to Purchase, Expands Endovascular Thrombus thrombus /throm·bus/ (throm´bus) pl. throm´bi a stationary blood clot along the wall of a blood vessel, frequently causing vascular obstruction. Management Focus MINNEAPOLIS -- Possis Medical, Inc. (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on : POSS) a developer, manufacturer and marketer of pioneering medical devices for the cardiovascular and vascular treatment markets, today announced that it has closed a $2.5 million equity investment in Rafael Medical Technologies, Inc. The deal gives Possis 15 percent ownership in Rafael Medical with a three-year option to purchase the company, together with an obligation to provide up to $1.5 million of secured debt financing Debt Financing When a firm raises money for working capital or capital expenditures by selling bonds, bills, or notes to individual and/or institutional investors. In return for lending the money, the individuals or institutions become creditors and receive a promise to repay and one seat on Rafael's board of directors. Rafael Medical is developing its proprietary SafeFlo[R] inferior vena cava inferior vena cava n. Abbr. IVC A large vein formed by the union of the two common iliac veins that receives blood from the lower limbs and the pelvic and abdominal viscera and empties into the right atrium of the heart. (IVC IVC abbr. inferior vena cava ) filter. It is estimated that by 2010, the U.S. market for IVC filters will total nearly $200 million. The inferior vena cava (IVC) is the large vein that carries de-oxygenated blood from the lower body back to the heart and then to the lungs for re-oxygenation. In certain individuals, the formation of blood clots in the deep veins of the legs, a condition known as deep vein thrombosis A blood clot (thrombos) in a vein deep within the muscle, typically in the thigh or calf. It is caused by disease or the lack of activity such as sitting for hours at a computer screen. (DVT See deep vein thrombosis. ), can lead to the migration of blood clots to the lungs causing a pulmonary embolism (PE), an often fatal condition. The U.S. patented SafeFlo[R] IVC filter is a minimally invasive and retrievable filter designed to prevent the migration of thrombus to the lungs and the potentially devastating dev·as·tate tr.v. dev·as·tat·ed, dev·as·tat·ing, dev·as·tates 1. To lay waste; destroy. 2. To overwhelm; confound; stun: was devastated by the rude remark. effects of PE. "More than 600,000 people suffer from DVT annually in the United States and the most feared complication of DVT is PE," said Robert Dutcher, chairman, president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of Possis Medical. "As part of our broader endovascular focus, we secured an option to acquire Rafael Medical -- the developer of the SafeFlo[R] filter. The retrievable design of the SafeFlo[R] filter allows it to be placed in the patient temporarily and then later removed when the risk of a PE has passed. This device is synergistic with our strategy to expand the use of our industry-leading AngioJet[R] Thrombectomy thrombectomy /throm·bec·to·my/ (throm-bek´tah-me) surgical removal of a clot from a blood vessel. throm·bec·to·my n. Excision of a thrombus. System to treat both DVT and PE thrombus. The combination of the SafeFlo[R] filter and AngioJet thrombectomy may revolutionize the treatment of DVT and prevention of PE." Rafael Medical is conducting a clinical trial of the SafeFlo[R] filter at multiple sites in the United States and Europe; a 510(k) submission to the FDA FDA abbr. Food and Drug Administration FDA, n.pr See Food and Drug Administration. FDA, n.pr the abbreviation for the Food and Drug Administration. is expected within 12 to 18 months. The purchase option may be exercised by Possis at any time, at the discretion of Possis, prior to the earlier of 60 days after Rafael receives U.S. FDA marketing clearance, or November 29, 2009. If Possis determines to exercise the option, it will pay Rafael Medical shareholders an initial purchase price of $12 million in cash, less any debt outstanding, and will be obligated ob·li·gate tr.v. ob·li·gat·ed, ob·li·gat·ing, ob·li·gates 1. To bind, compel, or constrain by a social, legal, or moral tie. See Synonyms at force. 2. To cause to be grateful or indebted; oblige. to make earn-out payments based on a multiple of revenue generated from the SafeFlo[R] IVC filter during the three years commencing six months after closing of the transaction. Total payments, including the $2.5 million initial equity investment, will not exceed $54 million. Concluded Dutcher, "This strategic initiative will allow us to expand our leadership position in thrombus management, and leverages our strengths and proven technology to provide customers with a broader portfolio of endovascular treatment options." About Rafael Medical Technologies Rafael Medical Technologies, Inc., is an emerging medical device company specializing in the development, manufacture and marketing of highly innovative transcatheter intravascular intravascular /in·tra·vas·cu·lar/ (in?trah-vas´ku-lar) within a vessel. in·tra·vas·cu·lar adj. Within one or more blood vessels. devices. The company's devices facilitate simple and safe minimally invasive medical procedures. By concentrating on its key strength -- research and development, Rafael Medical seeks to ensure that its devices offer the medical community the most innovative and user-friendly solutions for advancing transcatheter intravascular procedures. Rafael Medical was founded and incorporated in Delaware in June 2000. Research and development activities are conducted by 14 employees at the company's Israeli subsidiary, R.M.T. Medical Technologies Ltd. in Caesarea, Israel. About Possis Medical, Inc. Possis Medical, Inc., develops, manufactures and markets pioneering medical devices for the large and growing cardiovascular and vascular treatment markets. The Company's AngioJet System is the world's leading mechanical thrombectomy system with FDA approval to remove large and small thrombus from coronary arteries, coronary bypass grafts, peripheral arteries and veins and A-V A-V abbr. 1. arteriovenous 2. atrioventricular A-V, AV 1. arteriovenous. 2. atrioventricular. A-V Atrioventricular, also 1. Anteversion 2. Aortic valve 3. grafts and native fistulas. Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Federal Securities Laws. Some of these statements relate to the SafeFlo[R] filter and its anticipated performance, market potential and acceptance, and regulatory approval pathway. These statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions, and entail various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements, such as, whether or not Possis exercises its option to purchase Rafael Medical, the effectiveness of our sales and marketing efforts, and our ability to effectively manage other new product development timelines. A discussion of these and other factors that could impact the Company's future results are set forth in the cautionary statements included in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended July 31, 2006, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
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