Abbott Halts Sales of Bioresorbable Vascular Stent

Abbott has pulled its first-generation fully absorbable vascular scaffold from the global market due to low commercial sales.

All sizes of its Absorb Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold System and its Absorb GT1 Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold System (BVS) were discontinued as of September 14.

Absorb, approved by the FDA in July 2016, was designed to limit scar tissue growth and fully resorb over the course of about three years in implanted patients with coronary artery disease.

The company plans to keep working on a next generation bioresorbable device, arguing that the technology “offers patients the possibility of live without permanent metallic implants.” It will also continue to monitor long-term outcomes in existing trials.