Austin-based On-X Life Technologies, Inc., which manufactures Prosthetic Heart Valve and carbon products for orthopedic implants, recently announced that it is doubling the size of its manufacturing space in Austin. The expansion is a result of increased demand for these products in both the cardiac surgery and orthopedic markets.
"We continue to experience increasing acceptance of the On-X heart valve in the US and around the world," said Clyde Baker, CEO, On-X LTI. "The relocation of our operation to this larger facility will permit us to expand our manufacturing capacity to meet this demand. Although some renovation will be required, it is extremely fortuitous that a facility that previously housed a heart valve manufacturing operation was available for occupation. Moving into this building, rather than constructing a new facility to meet the special requirements of our operation, will save the company several million dollars. In addition to the building, were also benefiting from the relocation of the Sorin Carbomedics business from Austin to Italy by gaining several pieces of vitally needed equipment and a number of key employees."
The On-X valve received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration in 2006 to test whether it may become the first mechanical valve able to maintain certain recipients without Warfarin. The study is being conducted in 40 clinical sites comprised primarily of university-based medical institutions in the United States.
