Abbott reports positive clinical trial data from new Absrod study

Abbott's dissolving Absorb heart device has demonstrated its benefits in one-year results from the clinical trial ABSORB II.

Data from the landmark study has revealed that the new device was able to deliver a comparable safety and efficacy performance to Xience, Abbott's own best-in-class family of metallic drug-eluting stents, in the treatment of coronary artery disease.

Moreover, people treated with Absorb experienced a significantly lower rate of angina compared to those using the older device, suggesting it can offer advantages that exceed the proven performance of Xience.

Absorb functions like a metallic stent by opening a blocked artery in the heart and restoring blood flow, before eventually dissolving to restore normal bodily functions.

Dr Charles Simonton, divisional vice-president for medical affairs and chief medical officer at Abbott's vascular division, said: "This data represents a significant milestone for Absorb and shows how this unique technology can potentially benefit people with heart disease."

This comes after the firm received European CE Mark approval earlier this month for the FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System, for use by patients with diabetes.