Endoluminal Sciences

Aug 28, 2015

Endoluminal Sciences clinical trials planned for heart valve seal technology Aug28,2015 Joshua Cantem Patients with narrowed aortic valves often cannot even climb a flight of stairs as the flow of blood into their bodies from their hearts is so diminished. And treatment for this life-threatening condition is problematic—with sufferers having only a 50–50 chance of survival beyond two years. If people with this condition are strong enough, they can undergo invasive, major open heart surgery to have a surgical artificial heart valve implanted. But, for those too frail to undergo open heart surgery—that is about a third of sufferers—a transcatheter aortic valve replacement is the only safe treatment option. This minimally invasive surgical procedure allows for the implantation of an artificial heart valve through a keyhole-sized incision in a patient’s groin. However, as many as 50 per cent of the heart valves implanted in this non-invasive way will leak, putting the patient at risk of heart failure and death. New technology being developed and commercialised by the Australian start-up, Endoluminal Sciences Pty Ltd, addresses this leakage problem. “Our Endoseal technology effectively lifts the standard of the valves implanted through minimally invasive surgery to match the level of surgically implanted devices,” says CEO of Endoluminal Sciences , Ashish Mitra. “Our technology is critical in bringing the benefits of minimally invasive surgery to nearly all patients with aortic heart valve disease.” “Our technology has the potential to make open heart surgery a thing of the past.” The technology is designed as a permanent implant, requiring Endoluminal to satisfy strict safety and performance requirements. With pre-clinical trials completed and multiple positive findings on the technology published, clinical trials in Europe in 2016 are the next step in getting this life-saving technology to market. Mitra says, “This technology will allow a greater number of patients to be treated with a minimally invasive technique, which means shorter operations, reduced surgical complications, shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery.” The company has received Australian Government commercialisation support and has entered into a licencing agreement with Swiss company, Symetis , to commercialise the technology. As part of the Government assistance Commercialisation Adviser Topaz Conway has provided strategic mentorship on deal-making and commercialisation and key connections with investors. “This company has succeeded in getting this game-changing technology into the right hands at the right time,” Conway says. This article originally appeared in the Australian Government Dealflow Entrepreneurs Programme Aug-Oct 15. Endoluminal Sciences is a client of ATP Innovations, Australia’s leading business incubator. Share this: