AtriCure, Inc. Announces Investigation by the Department of Justice
BioSpace, 03 November 2008
WEST CHESTER, Ohio–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AtriCure, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATRC – News), received a letter on October 27, 2008 from the U.S. Department of Justice-Civil Division (the “DOJ”) informing the Company that the DOJ is conducting an investigation for potential False Claims Act and common law violations relating to the Company’s surgical ablation devices. Specifically, the letter states that the DOJ is investigating the Company’s marketing practices utilized in connection with its surgical ablation system to treat atrial fibrillation, a specific use outside the Federal Food and Drug Administration’s 510(k) clearance. The letter also states that the DOJ is investigating whether AtriCure instructed hospitals to bill Medicare for surgical ablation using incorrect billing codes.
The Company understands that the DOJ is in the process of compiling a document request. The Company intends to cooperate with the DOJ in its investigation and operate its business in the ordinary course during the investigation.
