Cook Medical, Taewoong Medical Partner to Distribute Stents in the U.S.

To complement its existing line of metal GI stents, Cook Medical has partnered with Taewoong Medical to distribute a selection of stents into the United States. The new partnership includes the Niti-S Through the Scope (TTS) Esophageal Stent, the flagship product of the South Korean company’s Niti-S Self-Expandable line of metal GI stents. Cook Medical will begin distributing the Taewoong portfolio on Nov. 1.
 
Esophageal stents are often used in the treatment of esophageal cancer. According to the American Cancer Institute for Cancer Research, there are approximately 17,000 new cases reported annually, the vast majority occurring in men. This year alone, esophageal cancer will claim almost 16,000 lives.
 
“We’re excited to continue our goal to support physicians in their treatment of diseases of the GI tract by adding Taewoong’s stent technologies to our existing Evolution and Zilver stent offerings,” said Barry Slowey, president of Cook Winston-Salem and vice president of Cook Medical’s Endoscopy speciality. “In addition to their product offering, we’re honored to collaborate with Taewoong because we share a commitment to provide solutions that deliver patient care through innovation.”
 
Unique to the U.S. market, the Niti-S TTS Esophageal Stent is preloaded in a 10.5 Fr delivery system. This allows deployment through a scope with a conical tip designed to navigate tight strictures and tortuous anatomies.
 
In addition to the Niti-S TTS Esophageal Stent, Cook will also be the U.S. distributor for the Niti-S S Esophageal Stent—a standard esophageal stent—as well as the Niti-S Biliary Stent.
 
“We are very pleased and proud to enter into this partnership with Cook Medical,” said Kyongmin Shin, CEO of Taewoong Medical. “We believe Cook Medical’s philosophy and focus towards continuous innovation in product development is akin to Taewoong Medical’s own philosophy. And I am confident that our partnership will bring the optimal stent solutions to U.S. doctors and patients.”
 
Since 1963 Cook Medical has worked closely with physicians to develop technologies that eliminate the need for open surgery. Today the company combines medical devices, biologic materials and cellular therapies to deliver better outcomes more efficiently.
 
Taewoong Medical Co. Ltd, founded in 1991, is a privately-held company based in Seoul, South Korea. It manufactures a range of medical equipment of its own design: gastrointestinal devices, interventional urology stents and GI accessories.