Boston Scientific announces first implantation of Vercise Deep Brain Stimulation System in Parkinson's disease trial

Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) today announced the first implantation of its Vercise™ Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) System as part of the VANTAGE clinical trial.  VANTAGE is a multi-center, prospective trial designed to examine the improvement of motor function in approximately 40 European patients implanted with the Vercise DBS System for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

The Vercise Deep Brain Stimulation System is a neurostimulation device designed to deliver electrical signals to specific areas within the brain through individual lead contacts that allow a more tailored amount of current flow based on patient needs.

The first patient was implanted by a team at University Hospital Koln in Germany led by Prof. Lars Timmermann, M.D., Professor of Neurology and Co-Principal Investigator of the trial, and Mohammad Maarouf, M.D., Vice-Chairman of the Department of Stereotaxy and Functional Neurosurgery.  

"DBS has been available for many years as a treatment for Parkinson's disease, but I believe this new technology could provide a major step forward in this area of therapy," said Prof. Timmermann.  "I look forward to the results of this study with great interest."

"We are excited to begin implanting patients with this innovative device, which represents a more advanced, focused and adaptable form of DBS therapy," said Prof. Francois Alesch, M.D., Professor for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, Medical University of Vienna, Austria and Co-Principal Investigator of the trial.

"The Vercise System is the only DBS system that incorporates multiple, independent current control designed to enable greater 'customization' of the therapy," said Michael Onuscheck, Senior Vice President and President of Boston Scientific's Neuromodulation Division.  "The Company is excited to expand into a new area of stimulation therapy, demonstrating our continued commitment to investment in neuromodulation technology to improve patients' lives."

The Vercise Deep Brain Stimulation System is not available for sale.

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects 2 million Europeans and 7 to 10 million people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization and the Parkinson's Disease Foundation.