Mr. Jonas: On the device side, I follow the cardiovascular devices, so that is some of the large companies like Medtronic (MDT), St. Jude (STJ), Boston Scientific (BSX) and then some other component suppliers like Greatbatch (GB). There are a number of smaller players, too, like Vascular Solutions (VASC) and AngioDynamics (ANGO).
TWST: What are the key trends you're seeing in this segment right now?
Mr. Jonas: What just came out last week was the MADIT-CRT trial from Boston
Scientific that has the potential to expand the use of resynchronization
defibrillators into a broader pool of patients. It showed that earlier
intervention of these devices can actually slow the progression of heart failure
and reduce heart failure events. Specifically, you'll see more people get these
devices earlier in their disease progression. And the resynchronization devices
are more advanced, more expensive, higher margin to the manufacturers. That was
the big trial that potentially could expand the market by something in the
neighborhood of $150 million a year.
Tickers included in this excerpt: ANGO, BSX, GB, JNJ, MDT, STJ, VASC
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