In July 2018, Olympus Corporation received an approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) for BF-MP190F bronchoscope. The BF-MP190F is an ultra-slim, fully rotatable diagnostic bronchoscope is compatible with the radial EBUS probe and an array of sampling devices in order to expand access to smaller airways & distal lesions. This bronchoscope assists pulmonologists to efficiently access, sampling, and diagnosis of lung cancer with its ratio of a 1.7 mm working channel to distal-end outer diameter of 3.0 mm. The bronchoscope offers benefits such as enhanced maneuverability, improved visualization, and advanced versatility. BF-MP190F provides ease of use as its ultra-slim design enables pulmonologists to access to up to two branches beyond the previous bronchoscope’s accessible range. It offers improved visualization in targeted sampling when used with proprietary Olympus’s radial EBUS probes and is compatible with the range of Company’s diagnostic and sampling devices such as radial EBUS probe, cytology brushes, biopsy forceps, and the PeriView FLEX needle for the transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) procedures.
Furthermore, Olympus Corporation has strong pulmonology — bronchoscopy segment product portfolio comprising EBUS, endoscopes, endotherapy devices, imaging systems, and energy products. In line with EBUS procedures, the Company has an array of bronchoscopes, probes, EBUS-TBNA aspiration needles, biopsy forceps, and cytology brushes.
Analyst’s View:
This product launch expanded Olympus Corporation’s pulmonology — bronchoscopy business product portfolio and benefited the Company to gain a competitive advantage or to make a tough competitive rivalry. Worldwide growing aging population along with increasing prevalence of respiratory diseases [chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, tuberculosis (TB), and pleural mesothelioma], technological advances in EBUS devices, and rising demand for minimally invasive surgeries (MISs) are envisaged to nurture growth of the endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) biopsy devices market during the forecast period from 2018 to 2026.
