Corporate
News release
TopA Renfrewshire company behind a truly innovative medical device which has helped to save the lives of more than 1,400 patients around the world has been honoured for its pioneering work.
Vascutek has received the Queen's Award for Innovation following the development of Thoraflex™ Hybrid, a surgical graft used to treat thoracic aortic disease, which affects the aorta, the largest artery in the body.
The device, which is manufactured in Scotland, removes the need for a second major operation to treat the condition. It also significantly reduces the number of deaths after surgery, from 18 per cent to seven per cent.
The award marks the latest success for Inchinnan-based Vascutek, which has now received eight Queen's Awards in the company's 34 year history.
Commenting on this success, Paul Holbrook, President and CEO of Vascutek, said: "We are honoured to have been recognised for the development of Thoraflex™ Hybrid.
"This unique device has helped save the lives of more than 1,400 people around the world who have been diagnosed with arterial disease.
"The success of Thoraflex™ Hybrid is wide-reaching with patients, surgeons and hospitals among those to benefit from the availability of this pioneering device to treat thoracic aortic disease."
Claiming the lives of over 3,000 people in the UK each year, thoracic aortic disease is serious and can often be life-threatening when the aorta bulges, bursts or tears.
Treatment of the condition with Thoraflex™ Hybrid reduces surgery time compared with previous methods, significantly lowering the risk of stroke, brain damage or paralysis.
The lack of a second operation also offers financial benefits, saving hospital providers an estimated £26,000 per procedure.
Development of Thoraflex™ Hybrid, a collaboration with Hannover Medical School in Germany, has led to the creation of 21 jobs at Vascutek. The device is exported to 29 countries, with another ten expected to follow in the next two years.
The Queen's Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious accolades for businesses and individuals in the United Kingdom and recognise outstanding achievements by UK businesses in the fields of innovation, international trade or sustainable development.
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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.