On-X LTI Doubles Manufacturing Space
On-X Life Technologies Doubles Manufacturing Space in Austin
Increasing demand for On-X Prosthetic Heart Valve and orthopedic implant products make capacity expansion necessary
AUSTIN, TX — March 20, 2009 — On-X® Life Technologies, Inc. (On-X LTI), manufacturers of the On-X Prosthetic Heart Valve and On-X carbon products for orthopedic implants, announced today that it is doubling the size of its manufacturing space in Austin. The expansion is a result of increased demand for On-X LTI products in both the cardiac surgery and orthopedic markets. The company has signed a lease for a 40,405 square foot building at 1300 East Anderson Lane, Austin, Texas, that was previously used by Sorin Carbomedics. On-X LTI will begin a 19-month transition from its present site at 8200 Cameron Road to the larger facility this week.
“We continue to experience increasing acceptance of the On-X heart valve in the US and around the world,” said Clyde Baker, On-X LTI president and CEO. “The relocation of our operation to this larger facility will permit us to expand our manufacturing capacity to meet this demand. Although some renovation will be required, it is extremely fortuitous that a facility that previously housed a heart valve manufacturing operation was available for occupation. Moving into this building, rather than constructing a new facility to meet the special requirements of our operation, will save the company several million dollars. In addition to the building, we’re also benefiting from the relocation of the Sorin Carbomedics business from Austin to Italy by gaining several pieces of vitally needed equipment and a number of key employees.”
On-X LTI also renewed its supply agreement with Ascension Orthopedic Inc. (AOI) in December 2008. The Austin-based medical device company uses On-X pure carbon in the manufacture of joint replacement, trauma and tissue regeneration surgical implants for use in upper and lower extremities to help patients suffering from pain and dysfunction. Ascension currently markets nine different joint reconstruction implants made of On-X carbon and is actively developing new uses for On-X carbon in joint reconstruction.
“The long-term supply agreement with AOI in combination with the ongoing growth of our cardiac surgery business provides On-X LTI with the assurance of increasing demand for our products and a growing base of operation for the company in Austin,” said Baker.
The demand for the On-X valve is being driven by the benefits patients are receiving from its breakthrough design and material technology. The On-X valve received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration in 2006 to test whether it may become the first mechanical valve able to maintain certain recipients without Warfarin. The study is being conducted in 40 clinical sites comprised primarily of university-based medical institutions in the United States.
More about the On-X Prosthetic Heart Valve
The On-X valve is the result of a breakthrough in medical grade carbon technology: On-X pure pyrolytic carbon. In addition to providing a more thrombo-resistant surface, the comparatively high strength of pure On-X carbon enabled On-X LTI to make significant valve design changes that resulted in a prosthetic that acts more like a natural valve in its treatment of blood. It is well documented that the On-X valve does not produce the turbulence and blood damage commonly produced by other mechanical heart valve prostheses and therefore significantly reduces the potential for life-threatening blood clots.
First implanted in 1996, recent clinical evidence suggests that patients implanted with the On-X heart valve may be able to reduce the dosages of anticoagulation therapy traditionally required by mechanical heart valve recipients.
The FDA approved the On-X aortic and mitral valves for commercial use in the United States on May 30, 2001, and March 6, 2002, respectively. More than 70,000 On-X valves have been implanted since 1996.
About On-X Life Technologies, Inc.
On-X LTI develops heart valve replacements that significantly improve the quality of life for patients. The On-X valve design was awarded a 2002 Medical Device Excellence Award in the Implant and Tissue-Replacement Products category. The company also provides OEM services utilizing its patented On-X carbon to manufacturers of other medical products, including orthopedic joint and spine implant devices. On-X LTI was founded in 1994 by a team of heart valve material and design scientists and engineers led by pioneer Jack Bokros, PhD. Capitalizing on more than 30 years of heart valve design experience the team developed and continues to manufacture the On-X Prosthetic Heart Valve. The valve is approved for use within the US and throughout the world. On-X LTI is headquartered in Austin, Texas. More information is located at www.onxlti.com.
Media Contacts:
Clyde Baker
President and CEO On-X Life Technologies
512-339-8000 ext. 269
cbaker@onxlti.com
On-X® Prosthetic Heart Valve and On-X® carbon are trademarks of On-X LTI, registered in the US Patent and Trademark Office and corresponding foreign filings. All other trademarks mentioned herein belong to their respective companies.
