medical devices, Boston Scientific, Stents

WSJ Hits Boston Scientific Stent Data

Robert Buderi 8/14/08

An FDA application for a Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX) coronary stent currently awaiting approval was supported by a flawed statistical equation, according to today’s Wall Street Journal. Citing its own review of a clinical study of the device, the paper said the Taxus Liberte stent, which is already approved for use abroad, would have been judged “a failure by the common standards of statistical significance in research,” even though the statistical method that Boston Scientific used is widely employed by other stent manufacturers as well. A Boston Scientific spokesman said the company used standard methodology. BSX stock was down more than 5 percent, to $12.69, in early trading today.