Boston Scientific says physicians in Europe are starting to use its Taxus Element stent

Boston Scientific launches new Taxus stent in EU

NATICK, Mass. — Boston Scientific Corp. said Thursday that it launched its Taxus Element drug-coated coronary stent in Europe, and that physicians there have started using the device in surgical procedures.

Stents are mesh-metal devices that are used to prop open arteries after they have been surgically cleared of fatty plaque. Some stents, including Taxus Element, are coated with drugs to prevent scar tissue from blocking the artery.

European Union regulators approved the stent last month, Boston Scientific said, adding that the approval included a specific indication for diabetes patients. The Taxus Element system also includes a catheter delivery system.

Boston Scientific has a partnership with Angiotech Pharmaceuticals Inc. on the device. Angiotech said Boston Scientific expects the Food and Drug Administration to make a decision on Taxus Element by mid-2011, while Japanese regulators are expected to make a ruling in late 2011 or early 2012.

Boston Scientific stock rose 13 cents, or 2.4 percent, to $5.57 Wednesday. Angiotech shares fell 5 cents, or 5.7 percent, to 79 cents.