J.P Morgan Comments On St. Jude's Cardio Opportunities

St. Jude's STJ CardioMEMS is focused on developing novel technologies for the wireless transmission of vital information from within the human body. By increasing the accessibility of this data, the company hopes to improve the management of patients with chronic conditions and delay disease progression. Its core sensor technology utilizes a wireless, battery-less design that is both simple to implant and durable, with the device expected to outlive the patient. Energy to power the sensor and transmit data is delivered transcutaneously via radiofrequency from the home electronics unit as the patient lies on it. In the recently published CHAMPION trial, CardioMEMS's PAP sensor resulted in a 30% reduction in heart failure related hospitalizations over a 6 month period and 39% reduction over the length of the trial in NYHA Class III patients. Importantly, this improvement was achieved without exposing the patient to significant incremental risk, with an overall device-related complication rate of just 1.4%, similar to what would be expected with any right heart catheterization, and no device failures in the study. J.P Morgan has a $52 PT and Overweight rating on STJ STJ closed Tuesday at $47.36