Stereotaxis Secures Market Position in Japan Via Local Partnerships

Stereotaxis Inc. has entered the electrophysiology (EP) market in Japan with an agreement with Medix Japan Inc. and Hokushin Medical Co. Ltd. The two companies, which both have a significant presence in Japan, will distribute Stereotaxis’ Niobe magnetic navigation system for cardiac ablation. The EP market in Japan performs approximately 47,000 procedures each year and is expected to grow 10 percent annually through 2018. Japan also represents one of the largest medical device markets globally, second to the United States.

“We are pleased to have the assistance of Medix Japan and Hokushin Medical in bringing our expertise with automated, remote navigation solutions to the Japanese EP community,” said William C. Mills, CEO of Stereotaxis. “With an aging population and increasing rate of arrhythmias and other cardiac conditions, we can offer EP physicians in Japan greater possibilities in the treatment of their complex cases and make a difference in patient quality of life. We are confident that these two companies, both experts in product promotion with a deep understanding of the Japanese medical device industry and strong entrepreneurial spirit, will enthusiastically support our vision in a vital new market.”

Founded in 1987, Hokushin Medical Co. Ltd. is based in Kobe. The company’s core business is in marketing, distributing and servicing cardiovascular products.

Since 1975, Medix Japan, based in Fukuoka, has been importing and selling medical devices and pharmaceuticals in Japan. The company has the regulatory and quality management expertise required to handle highly regulated medical products. Medix Japan’s parent company, Kamachi Group, is a diversified conglomerate with approximately $100 billion in annual sales that also owns and operates 17 hospitals.

Under the agreement, Hokushin Medical will market, sell and distribute the Niobe system and disposable devices to Japanese customers, as well as provide customer training and clinical support. Medix Japan will lead the completion of the post marketing surveillance project as required by Japan’s Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency. Medix Japan will be charged with securing market authorization of Stereotaxis’ Vdrive robotic navigation system and Odyssey information management solution in the coming months.

“Hospitals and physicians in Japan are eager for new technologies that deliver safer, simpler and less invasive patient therapies,” said Mitsunori Furukawa, CEO of Hokushin Medical. “We are passionate about the Stereotaxis product suite and excited to collaborate with Medix Japan in representing the Stereotaxis brand to elevate the level of arrhythmia care in Japan.”

Based in St. Louis, Mo., Stereotaxis makes robotic cardiology instrument navigation systems.