Biotech, Devices, Emphysema

Spiration, Olympus Sign Lung-Valve Partnership in Japan

Luke Timmerman 7/24/08

Spiration, a Redmond, WA-based maker of medical devices for lung diseases, said it signed a deal to allow Tokyo-based Olympus to distribute its minimally-invasive device for emphysema patients in Japan. Financial terms weren’t disclosed, although Olympus will pay for clinical trials needed in Japan, and file applications to regulators there, Spiration said. The two companies are already preparing to commercialize the device, called the IBV Valve System, in Europe this fall, as we discussed earlier this month.