Health Canada Approves Varithena™ (polidocanol injectable foam) for Patients With Varicose Veins

Vein specialists practicing in Canada who are interested in using Varithena™ can learn more by contacting medical.services@btgplc.com.

About Varithena™ 

Varithena™ (polidocanol injectable foam) is a prescription medicine indicated for the treatment of incompetent great saphenous veins, accessory saphenous veins, and visible varicosities of the GSV system, above and below the knee. Varithena™ is intended for use in adults with clinically significant venous reflux as diagnosed by duplex ultrasound.

The most common (>10%) adverse events in patients treated with Varithena™ include contusion, pain in extremity, headache and skin discoloration. See prescribing information for a full list of possible side effects.

Please consult the full Product Monograph for more information.  

Photos illustrating the results of patients treated with Varithena™ are available on request. Individual treatment results may vary.

About Varicose Veins 

An estimated 3.7 million Canadians have varicose veins, with women twice as likely as men to develop varicosities.^[2]

Varicose veins are enlarged, bulging veins that most often occur in the leg's great saphenous vein (GSV) system. In health veins tiny valves help the leg veins work against gravity to push blood back to the heart.  But if valves weaken, blood can leak backwards and pool, resulting in varicose veins.  This can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as heaviness, achiness, swelling, throbbing, and itching. These symptoms are frequently the cause of absenteeism from work, disability and decreased quality of life. Varicose veins often bulge above the surface of the skin, but they are not always visible.  Common risk factors include family history, aging, being overweight or obese, and working at jobs requiring prolonged standing.

About BTG 

BTG is a growing international specialist healthcare company bringing to market innovative products in specialist areas of medicine to better serve doctors and their patients. We have a portfolio of Interventional Medicine products to advance the treatment of liver tumours, severe blood clots, varicose veins and advanced emphysema, and Specialty Pharmaceuticals that help patients overexposed to certain medications or toxins. Inspired by patient and physician needs, BTG is investing to expand its portfolio to address some of today's most complex healthcare challenges. To learn more about BTG, please visit: http://www.btgplc.com

References:

1. Varithena™ Product Monograph. July 2015.
2. Extrapolated to Canadian population from prevalence data in Gloviczki P, Comerota AJ, Dalsing MC, et al. The care of patients with varicose veins and associated chronic venous diseases: clinical practice guidelines of the Society for Vascular Surgery and the American Venous Forum. J Vasc Surg. 2011;53(5 suppl):2S-48S.

For further information contact:

BTG    
Andy Burrows, VP Corporate & Investor Relations
+44(0)20-7575-1741; Mobile: +44(0)7990-530-605

FTI Consulting
Ben Atwell/Simon Conway
+44(0)20-3727-1000

Stuart Hunt, Investor Relations Manager
+44(0)20-7575-1582; Mobile: +44(0)7815-778-536

Chris Sampson, Corporate Communications Director
+44-20-7575-1595; Mobile: +44-7773-251-178