Visiomed blows hot

Shares in Visionmed (ASX:VSG) rose 1.3 cents to 4.4 cents today, before relaxing to 4.3 cents, on news that the Perth medical-device company is gearing up to market and distribute its Funhaler asthma spacer device for children in the US.

Visionmed is expecting pre-market clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration this month, after US clinical trials confirmed it performed at least as well as current market-leading spacers.

A spacer is a device designed to ensure asthma patients use their asthma inhaler correctly, and receive an appropriate dose. The toy-like Funhaler incorporates a whistle and spinning disc, that provide a sensory reward for children who use their inhaler correctly.

The company plans to launch the Funhaler in the US market in the first half of 2005. Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration has already approved its use in Australia, with distribution expected to begin this month or next. Visionmed will seek approval within the next six weeks to launch the device in Europe.