NICE updates its guidance on hysteroscopic sterilization

Conceptus, Inc. (Nasdaq: CPTS), developer of the Essure procedure, the first proven non-incisional permanent birth control method available, today announced that the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the United Kingdom has updated its guidance on hysteroscopic sterilization to support the use of the Essure permanent birth control procedure. This recommendation means that the Essure procedure now will be a more widely offered benefit under the U.K. national healthcare system.

"We welcome this updated guidance from NICE and hope that it will enable more women in the U.K. to have access to this faster and safer method of permanent contraception,” commented Dr. Andrew Baxter, FRCOG of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield. “NICE has recognized the significant clinical evidence for the safety and efficacy of hysterscopic sterilization which have made Essure the recognized ‘gold standard’ technique in Europe since 2003.”

Among its findings, NICE concluded that there is sufficient safety and efficacy data on hysterscopic sterilization by tubal cannulation and placement of intrafallopian implants, which includes Essure, to support the use of this procedure in the U.K.

“This update by NICE will open the way for us to enter the mainstream U.K. healthcare market,” commented Mark Sieczkarek, president and chief executive officer of Conceptus. “We believe this important guidance provides additional advancement in our European business and further solidifies our international growth opportunities.”