Angiotech completes Quill Medical buy

In October 2004, Angiotech's surgical specialties division and Quill entered into an exclusive manufacturing and distribution agreement for the Contour Threads product line to be used in minimally-invasive aesthetic and cosmetic surgery. Unlike conventional sutures, which are smooth, the Contour Threads products have tiny teeth-like barbs or cogs along the surface. Once inserted under the skin, these self-anchoring sutures hold tissue in place to suspend sagging tissue or close wounds.

With the completion of the Quill acquisition, Angiotech now fully owns the rights to develop novel applications of the Contour Threads product line in a variety of aesthetic markets as well as other large, non-aesthetic markets where sutures are commonly used, such as wound closure and tendon repair for orthopaedic applications.

“Building on the success of the minimally-invasive facelift procedure, our Contour Threads product line can potentially offer “non-extreme” options for a variety of other aesthetic procedures, such as breast lifts, neck contouring, and other body contouring indications,” said Dr William Hunter, president and CEO of Angiotech. “We will also now be able to offer this innovative technology to surgeons for a variety of general wound closure applications, such as orthopaedic, cosmetic, vascular, and endoscopic surgery, which significantly expands our potential markets.”

Angiotech also aims to continue work on developing a portfolio of next-generation Contour Threads products, including a biodegradable version, which will be absorbed safely and relatively quickly in the body.