Neich Medical Co., Hongkong and X Technologies Inc., USA, have signed an exclusive distribution agreement covering the Asia-Pacific region, including Japan, for Neich to market, register, and distribute X Technologies' FX miniRAIL Coronary Dilatation Catheters.

The FX miniRAIL is a low profile, 6F compatible system that integrates two flexible stainless steel wires adjacent to the dilatation balloon. These wires focus the balloon's dilatation force to create two longitudinal expansion planes in the coronary plaque and stabilize the balloon across the target lesion. The device has a short, 12mm guide wire exit port that facilitates rapid, single operator exchanges.

In a press release from Neich, Alan Alan Bachrach, Worldwide VP, marketing and sales, X Technologies, states that the company is pleased to align our Far East sales and marketing strategy with a rapidly growing partner. Neich Medical has a well-established reputation for excellent customer service and clinical support through its pioneering physician exchange program throughout the region, he adds.

While Chip Corso, VP corporate development for Neich Medical adds that his company is committed to bringing novel devices to its customers as quickly as possible. The FX miniRAIL has already been very well received in several key accounts and we're looking forward to expanding our launch efforts surrounding this unique, user-friendly, and effective angioplasty platform, he said.

Recently, X Technologies received CE Mark approval for the FX miniRAIL Catheter in December 2001, and is commercializing its coronary applications throughout Europe. The company also supports an ongoing 265 patient IDE study in the United States.

X Technologies is currently a privately held corporation established in 1999. The company was founded and is managed by a highly experienced, multinational team of medical, engineering and business professionals from within the cardiovascular industry. This team develops, manufactures and markets innovative products for angioplasty providing less invasive therapy for a broad range of circulatory diseases. Also established in 1999, Neich Medical Co. is privately held and is headquartered in Hong Kong, with branch offices in Japan, Australia, Singapore, Taiwan, Shanghai, and the Netherlands, with an R&D base in the US. The company currently manufactures and markets an array of angioplasty and angiography products throughout the Asia-Pacific region, including within the exponentially growing China market. Neich Medical has an ISO certified manufacturing operation in Shenzhen, China.