CENTER VALLEY, Pa., and HAMBURG, Germany, Oct. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Olympus Corporation, a global MedTech company committed to making people's lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling, has entered into an international distribution agreement with the medical products business of U.S.-based W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. (hereinafter Gore), a global materials science company that develops innovative products across diverse industries.
The agreement allows Olympus to become the exclusive international distributor and have distribution rights of the GORE® VIABIL® Biliary Endoprosthesis for endoscopic placement. Olympus will begin commercialization efforts over the coming months starting in Europe and phasing in other countries over time. The addition of the GORE® VIABIL® Biliary Endoprosthesis for endoscopic placement in the Olympus hepatopancreatobiliary (HBP) portfolio will enable Olympus to expand its global presence in the rapidly growing gastrointestinal (GI) metal stent market.
Gore and Olympus bring together talent and technology, and this agreement presents opportunities to elevate the standard of care, as both companies share a history of delivering innovative interventional therapeutic products to improve outcomes for patients. With the addition of the GORE® VIABIL® Biliary Endoprosthesis for endoscopic placement to its existing portfolio of stents designed for the biliary tree, Olympus offers healthcare professionals and their patients a broad range of GI devices.
The GORE® VIABIL® Biliary Endoprosthesis for endoscopic placement is a fully covered self-expanding metal stent offering a differentiated alternative to relieve symptoms associated with biliary strictures.* An easy-to-use delivery system and non-foreshortening† design enables accurate deployment positioning. The GORE® VIABIL® Biliary Endoprosthesis for endoscopic placement features a nonporous ePTFE/FEP (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene/fluorinated ethylene propylene) lining that creates a strong, durable barrier, providing the advantage of a covered stent in the prevention of tumor ingrowth, without increasing the migration rate that is typically seen for covered stents.1,2,3,4
"We are thrilled to collaborate with Gore, a global leader in innovative technologies. The VIABIL stent is a critical device for GI patient care, and this agreement will complement our industry leading ERCP portfolio," said Mike Callaghan, Global SVP/General Manager EndoTherapy for Olympus. "Olympus is committed to helping healthcare organizations and professionals deliver high quality care for their patients, and the relationship with Gore is an important step toward achieving that goal."
"Gore is pleased to partner with Olympus. We strongly believe the demonstrated commercial prowess of Olympus' EndoTherapy team will pair nicely with Gore's medical device innovation expertise to better serve patients with unique solutions for many years to come," said Jake Goble, Cardiac and Surgical Solutions Business Leader for Gore.
* Regional differences exist in intended use. Always consult the Instructions for Use for complete information on indications, contraindications, and relevant safety information in your region.
† If deployed as instructed, the endoprosthesis will not appreciably foreshorten.
1. Brown MA. Biliary Fully Covered Metal Stents: Systematic Review of the Clinical Literature. W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ; 2019. [Work plan]. WP111272. Attachment 1: Literature Appraisal for Viabil, Attachment 2: Literature Appraisal for Other Fully Covered Biliary Stents (FCBS), Attachment 3: Migration Rate Comparison.
2. Guzmán-Calderón GE, Chirinos J, Díaz-Arocutipa C, et al. Covered Versus Uncovered Metal Stents for the Drainage of the Malignant Distal Biliary Obstruction With ERCP: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology 2025;59(3):276-284.
3. Krokidis M, Fanelli F, Orgera G, et al. Percutaneous treatment of malignant jaundice due to extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: covered Viabil stent versus uncovered Wallstents. Cardiovascular & Interventional Radiology 2010;33(1):97-106.
4. Krokidis M, Fanelli F, Orgera G, et al. Percutaneous palliation of pancreatic head cancer: randomized comparison of ePTFE/FEP-covered versus uncovered nitinol biliary stents. Cardiovascular & Interventional Radiology 2011;34(2):352-361.
About Olympus
At Olympus, we are committed to Our Purpose of making people's lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling. As a global medical technology company, we partner with healthcare professionals to provide innovative solutions and services for early detection, diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment, aiming to improve patient outcomes by elevating the standard of care in targeted disease states. For more than 100 years, Olympus has pursued a goal of contributing to society by producing products designed with the purpose of delivering optimal outcomes for its customers around the world. For more information, visit olympus-global.com and follow our global X account: @Olympus_Corp.
About Gore
W. L. Gore & Associates is a global materials science company dedicated to transforming industries and improving lives. Since 1958, Gore has solved complex technical challenges in demanding environments — from outer space to the world's highest peaks to the inner workings of the human body. With approximately 13,000 associates and a strong, team-oriented culture, Gore generates annual revenues of $5 billion. For more information, visit gore.com.
CENTER VALLEY, Pa., and HAMBURG, Germany, Oct. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Olympus Corporation, a global MedTech company committed to making people's lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling, has entered into an international distribution agreement with the medical products business of U.S.-based W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. (hereinafter Gore), a global materials science company that develops innovative products across diverse industries.
The agreement allows Olympus to become the exclusive international distributor and have distribution rights of the GORE® VIABIL® Biliary Endoprosthesis for endoscopic placement. Olympus will begin commercialization efforts over the coming months starting in Europe and phasing in other countries over time. The addition of the GORE® VIABIL® Biliary Endoprosthesis for endoscopic placement in the Olympus hepatopancreatobiliary (HBP) portfolio will enable Olympus to expand its global presence in the rapidly growing gastrointestinal (GI) metal stent market.
Gore and Olympus bring together talent and technology, and this agreement presents opportunities to elevate the standard of care, as both companies share a history of delivering innovative interventional therapeutic products to improve outcomes for patients. With the addition of the GORE® VIABIL® Biliary Endoprosthesis for endoscopic placement to its existing portfolio of stents designed for the biliary tree, Olympus offers healthcare professionals and their patients a broad range of GI devices.
The GORE® VIABIL® Biliary Endoprosthesis for endoscopic placement is a fully covered self-expanding metal stent offering a differentiated alternative to relieve symptoms associated with biliary strictures.* An easy-to-use delivery system and non-foreshortening† design enables accurate deployment positioning. The GORE® VIABIL® Biliary Endoprosthesis for endoscopic placement features a nonporous ePTFE/FEP (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene/fluorinated ethylene propylene) lining that creates a strong, durable barrier, providing the advantage of a covered stent in the prevention of tumor ingrowth, without increasing the migration rate that is typically seen for covered stents.1,2,3,4
"We are thrilled to collaborate with Gore, a global leader in innovative technologies. The VIABIL stent is a critical device for GI patient care, and this agreement will complement our industry leading ERCP portfolio," said Mike Callaghan, Global SVP/General Manager EndoTherapy for Olympus. "Olympus is committed to helping healthcare organizations and professionals deliver high quality care for their patients, and the relationship with Gore is an important step toward achieving that goal."
"Gore is pleased to partner with Olympus. We strongly believe the demonstrated commercial prowess of Olympus' EndoTherapy team will pair nicely with Gore's medical device innovation expertise to better serve patients with unique solutions for many years to come," said Jake Goble, Cardiac and Surgical Solutions Business Leader for Gore.
* Regional differences exist in intended use. Always consult the Instructions for Use for complete information on indications, contraindications, and relevant safety information in your region.
† If deployed as instructed, the endoprosthesis will not appreciably foreshorten.
1. Brown MA. Biliary Fully Covered Metal Stents: Systematic Review of the Clinical Literature. W. L. Gore & Associates, Flagstaff, AZ; 2019. [Work plan]. WP111272. Attachment 1: Literature Appraisal for Viabil, Attachment 2: Literature Appraisal for Other Fully Covered Biliary Stents (FCBS), Attachment 3: Migration Rate Comparison.
2. Guzmán-Calderón GE, Chirinos J, Díaz-Arocutipa C, et al. Covered Versus Uncovered Metal Stents for the Drainage of the Malignant Distal Biliary Obstruction With ERCP: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology 2025;59(3):276-284.
3. Krokidis M, Fanelli F, Orgera G, et al. Percutaneous treatment of malignant jaundice due to extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: covered Viabil stent versus uncovered Wallstents. Cardiovascular & Interventional Radiology 2010;33(1):97-106.
4. Krokidis M, Fanelli F, Orgera G, et al. Percutaneous palliation of pancreatic head cancer: randomized comparison of ePTFE/FEP-covered versus uncovered nitinol biliary stents. Cardiovascular & Interventional Radiology 2011;34(2):352-361.
About Olympus
At Olympus, we are committed to Our Purpose of making people's lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling. As a global medical technology company, we partner with healthcare professionals to provide innovative solutions and services for early detection, diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment, aiming to improve patient outcomes by elevating the standard of care in targeted disease states. For more than 100 years, Olympus has pursued a goal of contributing to society by producing products designed with the purpose of delivering optimal outcomes for its customers around the world. For more information, visit olympus-global.com and follow our global X account: @Olympus_Corp.
About Gore
W. L. Gore & Associates is a global materials science company dedicated to transforming industries and improving lives. Since 1958, Gore has solved complex technical challenges in demanding environments — from outer space to the world's highest peaks to the inner workings of the human body. With approximately 13,000 associates and a strong, team-oriented culture, Gore generates annual revenues of $5 billion. For more information, visit gore.com.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- From January 6–8, 2026, Arspura, a premium smart home appliance brand focused on healthier kitchen air, presented its latest IQV™ innovations at CES 2026 and hosted a three-day brand program in Las Vegas. Centered on exclusive technology, respiratory wellness, and user experience, the program brought together experts, product leaders, and real customers to spotlight how better cooking environments can start with better indoor air management.
At the heart of Arspura's CES showcase was its proprietary IQV™ Dynamic Particulate Capture Technology, designed to capture cooking smoke, grease particles, and odor at the source—helping reduce the common "smoke escape" problem many households experience with traditional ventilation. Through live demonstrations and deep-dive sessions, Arspura emphasized a clear brand promise for modern kitchens: Cook freely, breathe freely.
To watch highlights from Arspura's CES 2026 showcase, visit:
Day 1: Uncovering the Kitchen's Invisible Health Threats
On the first day of CES 2026, Arspura kicked off its brand program with a keynote by Professor Francesca Dominici of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (Professor of Biostatistics & Data Science; Professor of Environmental Health).
Drawing on her research on air pollution and health, she highlighted the risks of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and emphasized that even low-level exposure can make people sick. She noted that PM2.5 can be particularly hazardous for older adults, people with existing health conditions, and individuals with asthma, and stressed that preventing cooking-related PM2.5 from dispersing indoors and reducing exposure at the source is crucial for family health.
Reflecting on this message, Arspura underscored its commitment to helping more households—especially those with asthma or nasal sensitivities—cook with greater comfort by reducing smoke and odor irritation, so more people can truly cook freely and breathe freely.
Day 2: Redefining a New Standard for Smoke-Free Cooking
On the second day, Arspura's product manager led a technical session explaining how IQV™ airflow design works together with high-airspeed capture (up to 13 m/s) to deliver high capture performance with minimal smoke escape. The presentation framed Arspura's approach as more than a product: a combination of technology and daily usability designed to make healthy cooking feel effortless.
Arspura also welcomed a special on-site visit and interview from media figure Yang Lan, who explored the booth experience and shared positive feedback on IQV™ technology and the IQV Hood concept—particularly its relevance for people sensitive to cooking fumes who want a more comfortable kitchen environment.
Day 3: Bringing Healthy Kitchen Living Into Everyday Ease
Arspura closed out CES 2026 with strong momentum, earning five awards during the show. To cap the three-day program, the brand invited its first group of IQV Hood users for a face-to-face sharing session, paired with immersive, hands-on demonstrations. Through interactive experiences and practical use scenarios, attendees felt firsthand how the product can deliver "health protection" and "easy cleaning" simultaneously, translating the idea of a healthier kitchen into tangible everyday value.
Passionate home cooks also shared how they had previously tried multiple traditional range hoods yet still struggled with smoke escape and lingering odors, while Arspura's IQV™ performance provided noticeably improved smoke capture and deodorization—making cooking more enjoyable and inspiring friends and family to upgrade after seeing the results.
What's Next for Arspura
Backed by strong recognition at CES 2026 and reinforced by firsthand user stories, Arspura's IQV™ showcase signaled a growing shift toward kitchen ventilation solutions that prioritize both health and everyday usability. Building on this momentum, Arspura will continue to develop smarter, cleaner-air technologies for modern homes.
