Leerink Swann analysts saw promise in a pair of "tidbits" about Edwards Lifesciences’ (NYSE:EW) Sapien XT transcatheter aortic valve implantation system presented at the EuroPCR conference in Paris this week.
News of positive 30-day outcomes from the large "real life" European Source XT post-approval registry and CE Mark approval in the European Union for a larger Sapien XT valve size were "small incremental positives" for the Irvine, Calif.-based device maker.
Although unlikely to create a major reaction on Wall Street, the reports are "encouraging," according to the analysts.
Results from the post-approval registry for the Sapient XT, the 2nd generation of the company’s valve, found overall positive outcomes for the more than 2,700 patients at 30 days with low all-cause mortality and low procedure-related complications.
Edwards also won CE Mark approval for a larger 29 mm Sapien XT valve, allowing the device to cover a broader range of patient anatomies. It also allows Sapien XT to compete more directly with Medtronic’s (NYSE:MDT) CoreValve, the analysts wrote.
EW shares were down 0.3% to $82.84 as of about 2:15 p.m. today.
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