WASHINGTON, July 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Edwards
Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE: EW), the global leader in the
science of heart valves and hemodynamic monitoring, announced that
Edwards' Chairman and CEO Michael A.
Mussallem today served as an expert panelist at the
invitation of the United States Energy and Commerce Committee's
Subcommittee on Health to discuss medical device innovation at its
hearing, "21st Century Cures: Examining Barriers to
Ongoing Evidence Development and Communication."
"Edwards has five decades of experience in developing and
delivering new therapies to American patients, and we are concerned
about the alarming and documented decline in U.S. medical
innovation," said Mussallem. "We identified areas of
improvement that we believe can support a balanced ecosystem, which
welcomes innovations to enable patients to live longer, healthier
lives."
Mussallem noted the constructive and collaborative relationship
with the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Medicare
& Medicaid Services and identified three primary areas of
improvement to promote America's leadership in medical device
development, and ensure delivery of new treatments to patients
around the world:
- Evidence development mechanisms can be improved to reduce costs
and delays.
- Economic incentives need to be aligned with promoting
innovation.
- FDA's vision to improve the regulatory process must be
accelerated.
Mussallem drew on Edwards' experience with the SAPIEN
transcatheter aortic heart valves to discuss the regulatory and
reimbursement challenges and opportunities in the U.S. His
full written comments can be read at
http://energycommerce.house.gov/hearing/barriers-ongoing-communication-and-evidence-development.
To learn more about the hearing or view a webcast of the event,
visit the Energy and Commerce Committee's website at
http://energycommerce.house.gov/studio/webcasts.
About Edwards Lifesciences
Edwards Lifesciences is the
global leader in the science of heart valves and hemodynamic
monitoring. Driven by a passion to help patients, the company
partners with clinicians to develop innovative technologies in the
areas of structural heart disease and critical care monitoring,
enabling them to save and enhance lives. Additional company
information can be found at www.edwards.com.
Edwards, Edwards Lifesciences, the stylized E logo and SAPIEN
are trademarks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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SOURCE Edwards Lifesciences Corporation