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TOKYO, JAPAN - Nov 20, 2019 - Terumo Corporation (TSE: 4543) today announced that it has decided to acquire Aortica Corporation, a U.S.-based company dedicated to advancing the science of personalised vascular therapy.

Aortica has developed an automated case planning software known as AortaFit™, designed to precisely match fenestrations on an endograft with the unique locations of each individual patient's branch arteries during Fenestrated Endovascular Aortic Repair (FEVAR). The innovative technology is intended to improve graft anchoring while minimising the potential for endoleaks and migration that can result from the endovascular treatment of complex Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA).

The company has reported successful results for the first 30 patients undergoing FEVAR planned and performed using AortaFit™ as part of an FDA approved physician-sponsored investigational device exemption (IDE) study led by Benjamin Starnes, MD, Chief of Vascular Surgery, University of Washington. 100% of patients who had grafts planned by the automated software were successful including 16/30 treated with the TREO AAA stent-graft from Terumo Aortic.

Dr. Starnes commented: "Although several endografts are being studied under our protocol, the TREO abdominal aortic endograft has become our platform of choice because of its deliverability, conformability and graft design conducive to creating fenestrations. TREO is most likely to allow strut-free fenestrations in our series."

Also in development is the BoulEVARd™ covered stent graft built specifically for FEVAR. The balloon expandable device has been designed to enable reliable engagement into the main body graft while improving conformability to the native artery.

Paul Holbrook, President of Terumo Aortic, said: "This acquisition is a tremendous opportunity for Terumo Aortic to expedite the development of a first-in-class, purpose-built FEVAR System, particularly in the United States. By leveraging the unique AortaFit System and BoulEVARd covered stent graft together with the proven capabilities of TREO, we aim to transform vascular disease management in this challenging patient population. Furthermore, we are convinced that the system helps us contribute to personalised therapy."

Terumo will advance the development of the Aortica's products, and then launch them in the U.S., Europe, Japan and other areas. The transaction is aimed to close within 2019 and will be funded through cash on hand. Terumo does not regard the impact of the acquisition on Terumo's business performance of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2020 as significant.

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    Terumo Aortic's AAA stent grafts

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    Image: stent graft system for FEVAR

About Terumo Aortic

At Terumo Aortic our mission is to transform the treatment of aortic disease worldwide. With our comprehensive portfolio of surgical, endovascular and hybrid technologies, we enable surgeons to find the right fit for each patient anatomy.

Notes to Editors

- Terumo Corporation of Japan, a global medical device company founded in 1921 currently has over 25,000 employees worldwide.
- Terumo acquired Vascutek Ltd. in 2002 and Bolton Medical, Inc. in 2017.
- Terumo Aortic has over 1,250 employees including 850 based in Glasgow, Scotland and 330 based in Sunrise, Florida.

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.