10-KPeriod: FY2002

BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORP Annual Report, Year Ended Dec 31, 2002

Filed March 31, 2003For Securities:BSX

Summary

Boston Scientific Corporation's 2002 Form 10-K report highlights its position as a leading developer, manufacturer, and marketer of less-invasive medical devices. The company operates across various interventional specialties, with a significant focus on its Cardiovascular and Endosurgery business segments, which contributed approximately 68% and 32% of net sales, respectively, in 2002. A key strategic focus is the development and commercialization of drug-eluting coronary stents, particularly the TAXUS system, which represents a significant growth opportunity in a dynamic and competitive market. The company is actively pursuing regulatory approvals, with expedited review status granted by the FDA for the TAXUS system, anticipating a U.S. launch in late 2003. Boston Scientific continues to drive growth through innovation, product diversity, clinical excellence, and operational efficiency. The company has also actively pursued strategic acquisitions and alliances to expand its product portfolio and technological capabilities, as demonstrated by recent acquisitions in women's health and neurovascular, and alliances in pain management and brain monitoring. The company emphasizes its commitment to quality, driven by comprehensive quality systems certified under various international standards. Despite competitive pressures and evolving healthcare reimbursement landscapes, Boston Scientific is positioned to leverage its broad product line and focused marketing strategies to maintain and grow its market share.

Key Highlights

  • 1The company is a global developer, manufacturer, and marketer of less-invasive medical devices across multiple interventional specialties.
  • 2Net sales are primarily driven by the Cardiovascular (68%) and Endosurgery (32%) business segments.
  • 3Significant investment and strategic focus are placed on the development of the TAXUS paclitaxel-eluting coronary stent system, with expedited FDA review and an anticipated late 2003 U.S. launch.
  • 4Growth strategy relies on innovation, product diversity, clinical excellence, and operational efficiency, supplemented by strategic acquisitions and alliances.
  • 5The company actively manages intellectual property through a substantial portfolio of patents and pending applications, while also engaging in patent litigation with competitors.
  • 6Sales are diversified across over 10,000 hospitals and facilities, with no single institution accounting for more than 10% of net sales in 2002.
  • 7International sales represented approximately 40% of net sales in 2002, with operations in Europe, Japan, and Inter-Continental regions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Boston Scientific Corporation's primary business is the development, manufacturing, and marketing of less-invasive medical devices used in a wide range of interventional medical specialties, including cardiology, neurovascular, and endoscopy.

Key growth drivers include continuous innovation, expanding its diverse product portfolio through internal development and strategic acquisitions/alliances, and focusing on emerging technologies like drug-eluting coronary stents. The company also emphasizes clinical excellence and operational efficiency.

The TAXUS paclitaxel-eluting coronary stent system is a major focus. The company has invested heavily in clinical trials (TAXUS I-VI) and has submitted its Pre-Market Approval application to the FDA, receiving 'expedited review' status. A U.S. launch is anticipated in late 2003, with Japan planned for early 2005, pending regulatory approvals.

Boston Scientific faces significant competition from large medical device companies and operates in a dynamic market. It protects its innovations through a substantial portfolio of patents and actively defends its intellectual property rights, including engaging in patent litigation with competitors. The company also relies on product differentiation through performance, ease of use, and physician familiarity.