Productivity Digest , June 2003
Biosensors Develops World's First Everolimus Drug Eluting Stent to Combat Organ Transplant Rejection

By: Jaime Koh

Locally based cardiovascular medical device developer, Biosensors International has become the first in the world to develop a heart stent coated with the drug, everolimus, an immuno-suppressant that is used to combat organ transplant rejection. It has sold its everolimus drug stent assets to Guidant Corporation, a world leader in the area of cardiac and vascular interventions.

Clinical trial results, as reported at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) on 30 Mar 2003, have shown very positive indications of the effectiveness of the everolimus drug stent in treating restenosis, which is the process whereby injured vessels re-narrow themselves. Biosensors, one of the promising small and medium-sized enterprises identified by SPRING Singapore (Standards, Productivity and Innovation Board), views this acquisition as a logical progress for its successful research and development programmes. The company continually researches and invents ground-breaking technology for stent design and local drug delivery coating development for interventional cardiology markets world-wide. It is a subsidiary of Biosensors International Group and its vision is to be a leading company specializing in cardiovascular technology.

Said Mr Lu Yoh Chie, President and CEO of Biosensors International, "We view Guidant as the logical partner to help drive our everolimus research to successful commercialisation and fully expect that this arrangement will be only the first of many licensing agreements that will bring to the clinical marketplace the broad, diverse range of exciting drug and polymer compound technologies that we are developing."

Biosensors is no stranger in the area of clinical development in Singapore. In October 2002, Biosensors and the National Heart center embarked on animal trials of Biosensors' drug eluting stents. Earlier, Biosensors has also started a multi-center trial of its coronary stent, S-stent with the National Heart center. "With Singapore 's excellent medical infrastructure, it is only logical for Biosensors, which is based in Singapore, to work with Singapore clinicians for its clinical development work. So far, we have enjoyed and truly appreciated the high level of competence in the Singapore medical-related researches. We will continue this for our other subsequent development." said Mr Lu.