Dundee, UK, 4 March, 2015 – Vascular Flow Technologies, the medical device company using proprietary Spiral Laminar Flow (SLF™) technology to replicate natural blood flow for enhanced patient outcomes, has appointed Vascutek as an exclusive regional distributor in France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Vascutek has an extensive footprint in Europe, a wide-reaching distribution network and a portfolio of vascular products that includes a range of sealed, woven and knitted polyester grafts for peripheral, abdominal and cardiothoracic surgery.  The distribution agreement will introduce Vascular Flow Technologies’ Spiral Flow™ Peripheral Bypass (PV) and Arterio Venous (AV) grafts to the vascular and cardiovascular clinicians that are serviced by this network. 

Vascular Flow Technologies’ grafts use Spiral Flow™ technology, which is protected by a suite of patents and is the only proven design to replicate the distinctive spiral laminar flow that is present in natural blood flow.  The clinical effectiveness of SLF™ technology has been reported in a number of studies, and the company is rapidly accumulating an extensive evidence base to support both the PV and AV grafts. 

Data presented at the recent VEITH symposium (November 2014) showed a 30% increase in one-year success rates for vascular bypass surgery and dramatic reduction in amputations in patients receiving a Spiral Flow™ PV graft compared to those who received a standard polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft.¹Earlier this year the company also announced the start of a 24-month, randomised, controlled clinical study of its AV graft in haemodialysis access, using current best practice as a comparator.  The data from this study will be used to support health economic evaluation. 

The European distribution agreement with Vascutek follows a year of considerable success for Vascular Flow Technologies in the US, where the company appointed a direct sales force, launched a registry and strengthened its commercial and clinical operations with several key appointments.   The agreement signals the desire to simplify the European operations, align the company’s technology with mainstream medical practice in the European Union, and consolidate Vascular Flow Technologies’ distribution in four of the highest volume territories in Europe. 

Bill Allan, CEO of Vascular Flow Technologies, said:  “France, Germany, Austria and Switzerland have significant potential for adoption of the Spiral Flow technology grafts and we are confident this growth will accelerate further with the sustained presence provided by the strength of the Vascutek organisation and distribution network.”

- ENDS -