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TOKYO, JAPAN - September 19, 2017 - Terumo Corporation (TSE: 4543) announced today that it has launched QuiremSpheres® microspheres on September 18 in Europe. QuiremSpheres® are available in Europe with plans for expansion its sales area outside of Europe in the future.

QuiremSpheres®, the next generation of SIRT microspheres, are indicated for the treatment of advanced unresectable liver tumors and are the only commercially available microspheres that contain the radioactive isotope Holmium-166. Recent trials have shown the safety[1] and efficacy[2] of holmium microspheres for the treatment of advanced liver cancer. Unlike the widely adopted Yttrium-90 microspheres, QuiremSpheres® can be visualized in low concentrations by means of SPECT and MRI. This allows clinicians to quantitatively assess the distribution of microspheres in the liver, enabling accurate evaluation of treatment directly after SIRT procedure. The half-life of QuiremSpheres® is 26.8 hours, which means that more than 90% of the radiation is delivered within the first 4 days following the implantation procedure.

Peter Coenen, President of Interventional systems Terumo EMEA said: "Terumo is one of the world's leading company in the interventional oncology field offering micro catheters, bland embolization beads, and many other related products. We are grateful to offer new treatment options to physicians and patients. We believe Quiremspheres® enhances our position to be trusted as a top brand in the interventional oncology field."

About Quirem Medical BV

Quirem Medical is an emerging medical device company with a mission to develop the next generation microspheres for targeted interventional treatment of liver malignancies. It is based in Deventer, the Netherlands and is a spin-off company from the University Medical Center in Utrecht.

  • [1]

    The recommended whole liver dose of 60Gy was identified as the maximum tolerated radiation dose in a phase I trial (no dose-limiting toxicity occured in the 60Gy cohort) Smits et al, Lancet Oncol. 2012, Oct;13(10):1025-34. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01031784

  • [2]

    Study results have been published in PhD thesis of J.F. Prince; ISBN 978-90-393-6489-5; 2016. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01612325

About Terumo

Terumo (TSE: 4543) is a global leader in medical technology and has been committed to “Contributing to Society through Healthcare” for 100 years. Based in Tokyo and operating globally, Terumo employs more than 30,000 associates worldwide to provide innovative medical solutions in more than 160 countries and regions. The company started as a Japanese thermometer manufacturer, and has been supporting healthcare ever since. Now, its extensive business portfolio ranges from vascular intervention and cardio-surgical solutions, blood transfusion and cell therapy technology, to medical products essential for daily clinical practice such as transfusion systems, diabetes care, and peritoneal dialysis treatments. Terumo will further strive to be of value to patients, medical professionals, and society at large.

Among the information that Terumo discloses, the forward-looking statements including financial projections are based upon our assumptions using information available to us at the time and are not intended to be guarantees of future events or performance. Accordingly, it should be noted that actual results may differ from those forecasts or projections due to various factors. Factors affecting to actual results include, but are not limited to, changes in economic conditions surrounding Terumo, fluctuations of foreign exchange rates, and state of competition.

 

Information about products (including products currently in development) included in this material is not intended to constitute an advertisement or medical advice.