Olympus Medical Systems and Spiration : Agreement to Market and Distribute Minimally Invasive Pulmonary Device in 43 European Countries

May 19, 2008 – Olympus Medical Systems Corp. and Spiration, Inc. announced today that the companies have signed a definitive agreement granting Olympus exclusive marketing and distribution rights in Europe for Spiration's IBV® Valve System. Olympus will launch the product in select European countries from Autumn 2008. The IBV Valve System is a minimally invasive treatment that has diverse applications for both acute and chronic conditions of the lung.

In Europe, the system has received market clearance through CE Mark for diseased and damaged lung, a broad indication that includes the treatment of emphysema and the resolution of prolonged air leaks, a complication that can occur following lung surgery... Olympus Medical Systems' Press Release - [PDF] Spiration's Press Release -

Spiration, U.S. Pivotal Trial of Minimally Invasive Treatment for Severe Emphysema

Sept. 26, 2007 – Spiration, Inc., a developer of novel medical technology designed to benefit patients with acute and chronic conditions of the lung, today announced that the first patients have been enrolled in the company’s IBV Valve Trial in the United States. The purpose of the trial is to generate safety and effectiveness data for submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval to market the company’s IBV Valve System in the United States for the treatment of patients with severe emphysema... Spiration's Press Release [PDF] -