Shares in Edwards Lifesciences Corp (NYSE:EW) surged 12% ahead of the bell as it unveiled positive new data on its SAPIEN 3 valve for heart patients.
The company's valve replacement using SAPIEN 3 was found to provide better outcomes after a year compared to those who had endured open heart surgery.
The results come from a study of 1,078 patients with severe, aortic stenosis (narrowing of the heart valve) and were presented as part of the late-breaking clinical trials at the American College of Cardiology's 65th Annual Scientific Session in Chicago.
They were also published online in The Lancet.
Dr Vinod Thourani, who is s the co-principal investigator of the SAPIEN 3 study, said: "Results from the PARTNER II Trial presented at ACC should establish the SAPIEN 3 valve as the new benchmark for the treatment of intermediate-risk patients with severe, symptomatic aortic stenosis.
"The size and rigor of this 3,000-patient PARTNER II Trial provide powerful evidence in favour of this therapy for the treatment of patients with aortic stenosis."
Edwards Lifesciences shares added 12.49% to US$89.96.