1. In Vivo
  2. >>Global Vision

Next Drug Stent Trials: Medtronic Goes to Europe, Guidant Stays Home

Medtronic and Guidant need to play catch-up in the stent race to see who's going to be third behind Cordis/J&J's Cypher, which is approved in the US, and Boston Scientific's Taxus, which is expected to be approved shortly. A key component of Medtronic's and Guidant's competitive strategies will be deciding whether to do trials in the US vs. doing them internationally. Medtronic is doing its pivotal study in Europe, while Guidant is doing its in the US.

Medtronic Inc. and Guidant Corp. need to play catch-up in the drug-eluting stent (DES) race. With the Cypher from Cordis Corp. , a Johnson & Johnson operating company, already on the market, and the Taxus from Boston Scientific Corp. expected to be approved shortly, Medtronic and Guidant are now competing for third. One important aspect of their respective competitive strategies: doing trials in the US vs. doing them internationally.

Medtronic decided to rely heavily on a European trial because it believes this will be the fastest—and not an unprecedented--method...

More from Global Vision

Navigating the GLP-1 Opportunity In China: Strategic Imperatives For Western Pharma

 
• By Jo Shorthouse

The Chinese appetite for GLP-1s is noticeable. While the market opportunity for western pharma is huge, so are the strategic market access challenges, though not unsurmountable, L.E.K. Consulting told In Vivo.

Can Italy Shake Off Its Reputation And Become A Premier Hub For Biotech?

 
• By Barnaby Pickering

Leading industry experts have spoken to In Vivo about how investment, a change in mindset and a fresh approach to policy may allow Italy to kick-start its biotech ecosystem.

Global Pharma Interest In Korea Undeterred Despite Political Roller Coaster

 
• By Jung Won Shin

Despite recent political turmoil, outside investor and corporate interest in South Korean biopharma innovation appears robust or even increasing.

Turning Defense Into Attack: Snapshots Of A Changing Medtech Market And How To Respond

 
• By Ashley Yeo

Against a backdrop of shifting trade policies, the end of multilateral market approaches and renewed focus on supply chain resilience, medtechs are doubling down on innovation in products and processes – using AI – and keeping unmet needs and outcomes in the center of the target.

More from In Vivo

When VC Steps Back: Finding Alternative Biotech Funding

 
• By Jo Shorthouse

The biotech funding landscape is undergoing a fundamental shift. With traditional VC becoming increasingly cautious and selective, industry executives are exploring new avenues for capital. Conversely, this evolution may ultimately benefit the sector's long-term sustainability.

Podcast: Inside MoonLake’s Fast-Track Vision And $500m Deal

 
• By Jo Shorthouse

MoonLake Immunotherapeutics is racing ahead in the biotech space with its innovative nanobody SLK and a transformative $500m non-dilutive financing deal. In this episode, its CEO and CFO discuss the company’s rapid clinical progress, financial strategy and ambitions to reshape inflammatory disease.

When Simple Is Best: A Pre-Term Birth Device To End The ‘Silent Emergency’

 
• By Ashley Yeo

The Lioness non-surgical silicon ring implant is designed to put an end to pre-term births, sparing maternal anguish and saving health system costs. PregnanTech won the Biomed Israel 2025 medtech start-up award, and Limor Sandach told In Vivo how a non-digital technology beat off stiff competition.