Johnson & Johnson/Cordis

Company estimates it currently has "just a little over 20%" of the U.S. coronary stent market and approximately 24% in Europe. "Every quarter we continue to gain share and we're pretty optimistic that we are in the same mode for the rest of this year," Group Chaiman Robert Croce comments. The firm had originally put its share of the U.S. coronary stent market at 15-18% (1"The Gray Sheet" July 24, 2000, p. 15). While it credits increased sales of the BX Velocity for the growth, the company intends to initiate a November launch of a heparin-coated version. Mounted on a Raptor delivery system, the product is indicated for sub-acute thrombosis and will sell at a 15-20% premium over the uncoated version