Stock Markets
MODULAR ATP Study of the mCRM™ System Meets Primary Safety and Efficacy Endpoints
Additional data from APPRAISE ATP trial reinforce modular therapy approach with EMBLEM™ Subcutaneous Implantable Defibrillator and EMPOWER™ Leadless Pacemaker
MARLBOROUGH, Mass., May 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: NYSE:) today announced positive six-month results from the ongoing pivotal MODULAR ATP clinical trial of the mCRM™ System, the first modular cardiac rhythm management (CRM) system that consists of the EMBLEM™ Subcutaneous Implantable Defibrillator (S-ICD) System and the EMPOWER™ Leadless Pacemaker (LP). As components of the mCRM System, the devices are designed to work together wirelessly to coordinate painless intracardiac anti-tachycardia pacing (ATP) therapy, provide rate-responsive bradycardia pacing support and to prevent sudden cardiac death without the risk of leads in the heart or under the sternum. Findings were presented at Heart Rhythm 2024, the annual meeting of the Heart Rhythm Society, and simultaneously published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
In addition to evaluating the safety and performance of the EMPOWER LP as a standalone pacemaker, the trial evaluated the ability of the EMBLEM S-ICD System to successfully communicate a wireless request to the LP to deliver ATP therapy. Findings from the trial met all pre-specified six-month safety and effectiveness endpoints, and demonstrated:
- A major complication-free rate of 97.5% after implantation of the EMPOWER LP.1
- A communication success rate of 98.8% from the EMBLEM S-ICD System to the EMPOWER LP.2
- An ATP success rate of 61.3%,3 and no patient requests for deactivation of ATP or bradycardia pacing due to pain or discomfort.
- Pacing capture thresholds, which indicate stable device fixation within the heart, of ‰¤ 2.0 V at 0.4 ms in 97.4% of patients.
“We saw excellent overall clinical performance of the mCRM System in this study, including a high rate of communication success from the S-ICD to the leadless pacemaker, and a low rate of major leadless pacemaker complications,” said Prof. Reinoud Knops, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Cardiology and Electrophysiology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, Netherlands. “These findings are noteworthy, as high percentages of communication success and pain-free termination of spontaneous arrhythmia episodes indicate a potential upgrade pathway for patients currently implanted with an S-ICD who develop a need for ATP or pacing.”
Also presented at Heart Rhythm 2024 were results from the APPRAISE ATP clinical trial “ a prospective, randomized, multicenter study evaluating ATP as a primary strategy for terminating ventricular tachycardias in primary prevention (PP) patients (i.e., those without a history of spontaneous sustained ventricular arrhythmias). The trial enrolled 2,626 PP patients indicated to receive an ICD at 134 centers globally and is the largest head-to-head trial of ATP in this patient group. In the study, patients were randomized 1:1 to standard transvenous-ICD therapy “ ATP plus an ICD-delivered shock to terminate a ventricular tachycardia “ versus shock only. Across five years of follow up, data demonstrated a statistically significant, but small absolute first all-cause shock reduction in only 1% of patients per year. Shock burden, or the number of shocks experienced by a patient, was not significantly different between the two arms, and the vast majority of patients in the ATP-plus-shock arm did not require ATP therapy.
“Together, data from the MODULAR ATP and APPRAISE ATP trials reinforce the promise of the groundbreaking mCRM System, illustrating a clear path forward for physicians to offer therapies that prevent sudden cardiac death and deliver ATP for the small number of patients who benefit from it,” said Kenneth Stein, M.D., senior vice president and global chief medical officer, Boston Scientific. “Instead of subjecting all patients to the risks of more invasive approaches, such as placing leads in the heart or tunneling them under the sternum to provide therapies they might not require, these data indicate physicians may have the opportunity to tailor therapy to the patient’s individual needs and health.”
The company anticipates U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of the mCRM System in 2025. For more information on the mCRM System and MODULAR ATP trial, visit www.bostonscientific.com/mcrm. To learn more about the EMBLEM MRI S-ICD System, visit www.sicdsystem.com.
The EMPOWER LP is an investigational device and limited by U.S. law to investigational use only. It is not available for sale. Some device references are for informational purposes only and are pending CE Mark. Not available in the European Economic Area.
Dr. Reinoud Knops is a paid consultant of Boston Scientific Corporation. He has not been compensated in connection with this press release.
About Boston Scientific
Boston Scientific transforms lives through innovative medical technologies that improve the health of patients around the world. As a global medical technology leader for more than 40 years, we advance science for life by providing a broad range of high-performance solutions that address unmet patient needs and reduce the cost of healthcare. Our portfolio of devices and therapies helps physicians diagnose and treat complex cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, oncological, neurological and urological diseases and conditions. Learn more at www.bostonscientific.com and connect on LinkedIn and X, formerly Twitter.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words like “anticipate,” “expect,” “project,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “intend” and similar words. These forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and estimates using information available to us at the time and are not intended to be guarantees of future events or performance. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding our business plans and product performance and impact, and new and anticipated product approvals and launches. If our underlying assumptions turn out to be incorrect, or if certain risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. These factors, in some cases, have affected and in the future (together with other factors) could affect our ability to implement our business strategy and may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the statements expressed in this press release. As a result, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any of our forward-looking statements.
Factors that may cause such differences include, among other things: future economic, competitive, reimbursement and regulatory conditions; manufacturing, distribution and supply chain disruptions and cost increases; variations in outcomes of ongoing and future clinical trials and market studies; new product introductions; demographic trends; intellectual property; litigation; financial market conditions; and future business decisions made by us and our competitors. All of these factors are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of them are beyond our control. For a further list and description of these and other important risks and uncertainties that may affect our future operations, see Part I, Item 1A “ Risk Factors in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which we may update in Part II, Item 1A “ Risk Factors in Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q we have filed or will file hereafter. We disclaim any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in our expectations or in events, conditions or circumstances on which those expectations may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, except as required by law. This cautionary statement is applicable to all forward-looking statements contained in this document.
CONTACTS:Steve Bailey
Media Relations
(651) 582-4343 (office)
Steve.Bailey@bsci.com
Jon Monson
Investor Relations
(508) 683-5450
BSXInvestorRelations@bsci.com
1 Major complications defined as any complication related to the EMPOWER LP or its implantation procedure that results in system revision, permanent loss of LP function, hospitalization, or death.
2 During communication tests, the S-ICD attempted to command the LP to deliver pacing at a rate approximately 10 beats per minute faster than the patient’s intrinsic rhythm.
3 ATP success rate defined as terminating ventricular arrhythmia.
Stock Markets
US stocks slightly lower after Christmas holiday
Investing.com– U.S. stocks were slightly lower on Thursday, though trading volumes were thin a day after the Christmas holiday.
At of 12:58 ET (17:58 GMT), the fell 0.10%, the was down 0.1%, while the declined 0.01% or 6 points.
Jobless claims in U.S. dip to one-month low
The weekly U.S. jobless claims data released before the market opened on Thursday and saw a one-month low dip.
The Labor Department reported a decrease of 1,000 in initial applications for state unemployment benefits, bringing the seasonally adjusted figure to 219,000 for the week that ended on December 21. This figure is lower than the 224,000 claims that economists had predicted for the same week.
Meanwhile, the number of individuals receiving benefits after their first week of aid, which serves as an indication of hiring, increased by 46,000. This brought the seasonally adjusted total to 1.910 million for the week that ended on December 14, the highest since November 2021. Economists had previously anticipated the number of these continued claims to be 1.880 million.
“We do not think that this week’s data will move the needle for any of them, but more prints in line with the tone of this week’s data may motivate the doves on the Committee to speak up,” Jefferies said in a recent note.
Tech stocks flat despite Apple upgrade
The major tech giants were mostly down after the markets opened, with Apple marginally higher despite an upgrade from tech-bull Wedbush.
Apple Inc (NASDAQ:) gained 0.2% affter Wedbush raised its price target on Apple to $325 from $300 banking on transformative AI-driven iPhone upgrade cycle poised to fuel growth into 2025.
“We believe Apple is heading into a multi-year AI driven iPhone upgrade cycle that is still being underestimated by the Street,” Wedbush said in a recent note.
Crypto-related stocks slip as bitcoin skids, but KULR Technology surges on BTC purchase
Crypto-related stocks including MicroStrategy Incorporated (NASDAQ:), Coinbase Global Inc (NASDAQ:), and Riot Platforms (NASDAQ:) followed bitcoin lower as the most valuable cryptocurrency fell more than 2%.
KULR Technology jumped 30% after the space technology company bought about 217 bitcoin and detailed plans to allocate up to 90% of its excess cash to bitcoin.
Stock Markets
Lichen China Limited announces $2.8 million share sale
XIAMEN, China – Lichen China Limited (NASDAQ:LICN), a company specializing in financial and taxation services, has announced a definitive agreement with several investors for a registered direct offering. The offering involves the sale of 20 million Class A ordinary shares, or pre-funded warrants as an alternative, at a price of $0.14 per share. This transaction is expected to yield approximately $2.8 million in gross proceeds for the company. The offering comes as the company maintains strong financial fundamentals, with InvestingPro data showing an impressive gross profit margin of 61% and a healthy current ratio of 17.55x.
The closing of the sale is anticipated on or about December 27, 2024, pending the fulfillment of customary conditions. Univest Securities, LLC is the sole placement agent for the offering, which is being conducted under an effective shelf registration statement previously filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and declared effective on March 1, 2024.
Investors can access the final prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, detailing the offering’s terms, on the SEC’s website once filed. The offering is only valid in jurisdictions where it is lawful, and the securities cannot be sold in any jurisdiction where such an offer, solicitation, or sale would be illegal prior to registration or qualification under the applicable securities laws.
Lichen China, with over 18 years of experience, has established a reputation for providing professional and high-quality financial and taxation solutions in China. The company also offers education support services and software and maintenance services under the “Lichen” brand. Despite the stock’s significant decline of 89% year-to-date, InvestingPro analysis indicates the company is currently undervalued, with robust revenue growth of 25% in the last twelve months. Get access to 16 additional ProTips and comprehensive financial analysis with an InvestingPro subscription.
The company’s press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. While Lichen China believes the expectations reflected in these statements are reasonable, they caution that actual results may differ materially. Trading at a P/E ratio of 6.4x and with a market capitalization of $8.17 million, investors are encouraged to review factors that may affect the company’s future results in its registration statement and other SEC filings.
This news article is based on a press release statement from Lichen China Limited.
This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.
Stock Markets
2024 Year-End NAIC Designations for STACR REMIC Trust, STACR Trust, and STACR Debt Notes
MCLEAN, Va., Dec. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Freddie Mac (OTCQB: OTC:) today published on its website the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) 2024 filing year designations for certain STACR REMIC Trust, STACR Trust, and STACR Debt Notes (collectively, STACR Notes).
Overall, of the 209 reviewed STACR Notes, all have achieved NAIC 1 Designation including all A1, M1 and M2 Notes offered through 2024 STACR transactions. In addition, 10 of the 2024 NAIC 1 Designations are upgrades from their 2023 NAIC 2 Designations. The below table details the upgrades:
CUSIP | Deal Name | 2023 Year-End NAIC Designation | 2023 Year-End NAIC Designation Modifier | 2024 Year-End NAIC Designation | 2024 Year-End NAIC Designation Modifier |
35564KB57 | STACR 2022-HQA2 M2B | 2 | B | 1 | E |
35564KB65 | STACR 2022-HQA2 M2 | 2 | A | 1 | D |
35564KE62 | STACR 2022-HQA3 M2B | 2 | C | 1 | F |
35564KE70 | STACR 2022-HQA3 M2 | 2 | B | 1 | E |
35564KP60 | STACR 2023-DNA1 M2B | 2 | C | 1 | E |
35564KP94 | STACR 2023-DNA1 M2 | 2 | A | 1 | E |
35564KT82 | STACR 2023-DNA2 M2B | 2 | C | 1 | E |
35564KU31 | STACR 2023-DNA2 M2 | 2 | A | 1 | E |
35564KY29 | STACR 2023-HQA1 M2B | 2 | B | 1 | E |
35564KY37 | STACR 2023-HQA1 M2 | 2 | A | 1 | E |
About Freddie Mac Single-Family Credit Risk Transfer
Freddie Mac’s Investment & Capital Markets Credit Risk Transfer (CRT) programs transfer credit risk away from U.S. taxpayers to global private capital via securities and (re)insurance policies, providing stability, liquidity and affordability to the U.S. housing market. The GSE Single-Family CRT market was founded when Freddie Mac issued the first STACR ® (Structured Agency Credit Risk) notes in July 2013. In November 2013, ACIS ® (Agency Credit Insurance Structure ®) was introduced. Today, the industry-leading and award-winning programs attract institutional investors and (re)insurance companies worldwide. For specific STACR and ACIS transaction data, visit Clarity Data Intelligence ®.
About Freddie Mac
Freddie Mac’s mission is to make home possible for families across the nation. We promote liquidity, stability, affordability and equity in the housing market throughout all economic cycles. Since 1970, we have helped tens of millions of families buy, rent or keep their home. Learn More: Website | Consumers | LinkedIn | Facebook| X | Instagram | YouTube
MEDIA CONTACT:
Fred Solomon
703-903-3861
Frederick_Solomon@FreddieMac.com
INVESTOR CONTACT:
Christian Valencia
571-382-4236
Source: Freddie Mac
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