AorTech Commences Production in its US Facility

RNS Number : 8374P

Aortech International PLC

10 October 2011

 



For Immediate Release                                            10 October 2011

AorTech Commences Commercial Manufacturing Operations at its

US Production Facility

AorTech International plc (AIM: AOR) the biomaterials and medical device development company, today announces that in accordance with the previously announced timeline, has commenced production of standard polymer products to satisfy customer orders in the company's Rogers, MN factory.  Production of AorTech's entire range of polymers will take place throughout the remainder of 2011 and into early 2012.

Frank Maguire, AorTech CEO commented, "The commencement of routine manufacturing of our patented polymer products is an important milestone in the transition of the company's relocation of its Manufacturing and Technology Centre to its new home in Rogers, MN. It also represents an extraordinary achievement on the part of our management staff, newly hired employees and the contractors who designed the facility, oversaw its construction and successfully navigated through the numerous issues encountered in the inspection and permitting phase of this project. The project began in mid-July and is now - less than 90 days later, in the operational phase, producing polymers for sale to our customers. We are off to a good start in our new home."

 AorTech develops and manufactures biostable, implantable polymers, including Elast-Eon™ and ECSil™, the world's leading long-term implantable co-polymers, as well as proprietary processing methods for various devices, including small part RIM manufacturing.  With more than 3 million implants and five years of successful clinical use, AorTech polymers are currently used in cardiology, orthopaedic, urological and gastroenterological applications, including pacing leads, cardiac cannulae and stents.  Devices manufactured from AorTech polymers have numerous US FDA PMA approvals, 510k's, CE Marks, Australian TGA and Japanese Ministry of Health approvals.

Elast-Eon™ and ECSil's™ biostability is comparable to silicone while exhibiting excellent mechanical, blood contacting and flex-fatigue properties. Our polymers can be processed using conventional thermoplastic extrusion and molding techniques. AorTech provides a range of materials in a variety of application-specific formulations for use in medical devices and components.

-Ends-

For further information please contact:

AorTech International plc

Frank Maguire, Chief Executive Officer

Tel: + 1 801 201 4336

AorTech International plc

Sarah Price, Media Relations

Tel: + 1 801 649 4163

e-mail [e-mail]

 

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