Cook signs deal to develop replacement valves

Cook Medical, the Bloomington medical device company, has signed an agreement with Leman Cardiovascular of Switzerland to develop replacement venous valves through Leman’s U.S. subsidiary Hancock Jaffe Laboratories.

The companies hope to be first to commercialize venous valves, which help control blood flow in veins, said Brian Bates, Cook vice president of business development.

Valve production likely would be done in Switzerland, Bates said. Leman estimates the potential market at $600 million a year.