FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WARRENDALE, Pa., August 3, 2010 – MEDRAD, Inc. a business of Bayer Medical Care, has announced an exclusive distribution agreement with WFR-AQUAPLAST/Qfix Systems™ for the company’s PRO-TEKT™ endorectal balloon device. The PRO-TEKT device immobilizes structures that surround the rectum, such as the prostate, for radiation therapy treatment. The device is now available to healthcare providers throughout the United States, Australia and Europe.
The disposable single-use device immobilizes the rectal wall and adjacent structures of the anatomy, and enables repeatable positioning throughout the course of treatment. The design features a smooth rubberized tip, flexible shaft and gas venting that allows for easy insertion and withdrawal while minimizing discomfort to the patient. Physicians inflate the latex-free endorectal balloon with air or fluid.
“The PRO-TEKT device can help the radiation oncologist consider reducing field margins which may decrease side effects to organs that are adjacent to the tumor,” says Anthony Cinalli, executive director of marketing, MEDRAD Radiology. “We are enthusiastic about accelerating PRO-TEKT product availability worldwide through Qfix distribution.”
“The PRO-TEKT device strengthens our leadership position in delivering a comprehensive suite of cutting-edge patient positioning products to the radiation therapy community worldwide,” says Dan Coppens, chief executive officer of WFR-AQUAPLAST/Qfix Systems. “We are excited to have been selected by MEDRAD as the exclusive PRO-TEKT distributor and about the potential to further serve our customers’ needs in the fight against cancer.”
MEDRAD has developed and manufactured products designed to support prostate cancer management for more than a decade. In addition to manufacturing the PRO-TEKT endorectal balloon, MEDRAD manufactures and sells the Prostate eCoil™ MRI endorectal coil, a device that enables improved insight for early prostate cancer detection.
About WFR-AQUAPLAST/Qfix Systems
WFR-Aquaplast/Qfix Systems, headquartered in Avondale, PA, is a world leader in the design, manufacturing and marketing of radiation therapy patient positioning and immobilization products. The company’s thermoplastic, Aquaplast RT™, is the most recognized brand of radiation therapy patient immobilization thermoplastic in the world. In addition, the company’s revolutionary kVue™ IGRT couchtop is the only metal-free couchtop with moving support beams, offering an unrivaled combination of kV imaging and MV treatment. More company information is available at www.qfix.com.
About MEDRAD, Inc.
MEDRAD, Inc. develops, markets and services medical devices used to diagnose and treat disease. Its product offerings include fluid injection systems for radiology and cardiology, endovascular devices for the safe treatment of cardiovascular disease, magnetic resonance compatible accessories and equipment services. The company’s world headquarters is near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the United States. MEDRAD is a business of Bayer Medical Care.
More company information is available at www.medrad.com.
Bayer HealthCare
The Bayer Group is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer HealthCare, a subsidiary of Bayer AG, is one of the world’s leading, innovative companies in the healthcare and medical products industry and is based in Leverkusen, Germany. The company combines the global activities of the Animal Health, Consumer Care, Medical Care and Pharmaceuticals divisions. The pharmaceuticals business operates under the name Bayer Schering Pharma. Bayer HealthCare’s aim is to discover and manufacture products that will improve human and animal health worldwide. Find more information at www.bayerhealthcare.com.
Forward-looking statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports which are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.
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