CPTS to Enhance Physician Training – Analyst Blog

Recently, Conceptus Inc. (CPTS) entered into a mutually exclusive agreement with Switzerland-based VirtaMed AG, whereby the latter has been made the exclusive supplier for virtual training of the Essure procedure. Earlier, in 2009, the two companies developed EssureSim simulator to improve physicians’ training.

 

Conceptus manufactures the Essure permanent birth control system, which is meant to provide a non-incisional alternative to tubal ligation, which is currently the leading form of birth control worldwide. The company has been trying hard to make Essure the standard of care, which includes boosting physician adoption of Essure, striving for utilization ramp-up and tapping an addressable market of 9.3 million women. Patient awareness initiatives, expansion into targeted international markets and preparation for the next generation of Essure are the ways that help tap this population. Conceptus considers the latest agreement to be a step in the right direction.

 

Physician training is an important aspect for Conceptus since its revenue is dependent on the number of physicians entering and completing training. Details on physician metrics have not been encouraging for the latest reported quarter. Both enrollment and physician certifications came down primarily due to a change in competitive landscape and decline in physician office visits due to economic uncertainty.

 

Although Conceptus has been one of the leading players in this field, competition has recently intensified with Hologic (HOLX) carrying out physician trialing of its Adiana system, which is also a non-incisional permanent sterilization technique.

 

Hologic’s Adiana permanent contraception system received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in July 2009 and CE Mark approval in December 2008. Hologic is currently focused on driving sales of Adiana and training doctors. Both Essure and Adiana are non-incisional permanent sterilization techniques.

 

In this scenario, Conceptus is also aiming at enhancing physician training and has purchased several EssureSim simulators so that its availability can be expanded in both the US and international market.