Cyberonics receives Japanese approval for VNS Therapy Solutions

Cyberonics Inc. has received a green light from the Japanese government to market its VNS Therapy Systems in Japan.

The Houston medical technology company announced six months ago that it had secured a distributor in the area, Nihon Kohden Corp. after submitting a formal proposal in early 2009.

The VNS, or vagus nerve stimulation, therapy system is a surgically implanted medical device FDA-approved for the treatment of refractory epilepsy and treatment-resistant depression.

Cyberonics (NASDAQ: CYBX) plans to launch its VNS Therapy System in Japan following final reimbursement authorization.

On Jan. 4, the company’s stock was upgraded to “Outpeform” from “Neutral” by Robert W. Baird.