News release
January 28, 2016 - Terumo Corporation (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan; President and CEO: Yutaro Shintaku) and Quirem Medical B.V., a commercial stage Dutch medical technology company that focuses on radioembolization, today announced that Terumo will become the exclusive global distributor for the radioembolization solutions developed by Quirem Medical and has furthermore obtained a buy-out option.
Quirem Medical produces QuiremSpheres™, the next generation microspheres for the radioembolization treatment of liver tumors, which were originally developed by the University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht, and received the European CE mark for quality and safety in April 2015. QuiremSpheres™, which contain the isotope holmium-166, have unique imaging capabilities by using both SPECT and MRI that may contribute to a more effective radioembolization treatment.
First product launch will take place in Europe during FY2016, and other territories will follow after completion of the required regulatory approvals and market access plans.
Peter Coenen, president of Terumo Interventional Systems EMEA and member of the Supervisory Board of Quirem Medical, commented: "QuiremSpheres™ have the potential to become a most valuable addition to our product range in the interventional oncology field. We regard the interventional oncology field as an exciting growth area for our company."
Jan Sigger, CEO of Quirem Medical, commented: "We are most pleased with this strategic alliance with Terumo as it will enable us to accelerate our global expansion, reflecting our ambition to make our solutions available to patients around the world and thereby build on the excellent reputation of Terumo in the market place."
Terumo is one of the world's leading medical device manufacturers in the interventional oncology field offering micro catheters, bland embolization beads, drug-eluting embolization beads, and many other related products. The addition of the QuiremSpheres™ microspheres, with their unique imaging capabilities, in its portfolio enables Terumo to offer new treatment options to physicians and patients and emphasizes Terumo's strong position in the interventional oncology field.
Radioembolization
Radioembolization is a minimally invasive procedure that uses radiation therapy to treat liver cancer. Radioactive microspheres are injected into the blood vessels that feed the liver tumors, thereby delivering a high dose of radiation to the tumor while sparing normal tissue. It can help extend the lives of patients with inoperable tumors and improve their quality of life.
About Quirem Medical
Quirem Medical is an emerging medical device company with a mission to develop the next generation microspheres for targeted interventional oncology solutions.
About Terumo
Terumo (TSE: 4543) is a global leader in medical technology and has been committed to “Contributing to Society through Healthcare” for 100 years. Based in Tokyo and operating globally, Terumo employs more than 30,000 associates worldwide to provide innovative medical solutions in more than 160 countries and regions. The company started as a Japanese thermometer manufacturer, and has been supporting healthcare ever since. Now, its extensive business portfolio ranges from vascular intervention and cardio-surgical solutions, blood transfusion and cell therapy technology, to medical products essential for daily clinical practice such as transfusion systems, diabetes care, and peritoneal dialysis treatments. Terumo will further strive to be of value to patients, medical professionals, and society at large.