Several recent studies highlight the rapidly expanding applications for neuromodulation using bioelectronic devices. A pair of articles in the Journal of the American Heart Association and Journal of the American College of Cardiology focused on the benefits to patients with heart failure and those at risk of post-operative atrial fibrillation, respectively. A study published in Brain Stimulation found that 85% of tinnitus patients experienced resolution of their symptoms when using a neuromodulation device.
Abbott Laboratories’ Cardiomems heart failure (HF) system is open to a larger patient population following an expanded approval from the FDA. Abbott’s system had previously been approved for class III HF patients that had been hospitalized for HF in the past year. A new expanded indication enables the sensor to be utilized by class II (earlier stage) HF patients and those whose blood test show elevated levels of biomarkers known as natriuretic peptides. The FDA based the approval on findings from the GUIDE-HF trial, which suggested class II HF patients and patients with elevated natriuretic peptides had better outcomes when their therapy was guided by pulmonary pressure monitoring, with a 34% and 25% reduction in heart failure hospitalizations and emergency visits, respectively, based on study data adjusted for the impact of COVID-19.
A bioelectronic device developed by U.K. startup Ceryx Medical Ltd. has shown potential to restore cardiac performance in preclinical studies. The Cardiff, Wales-based company published data showing its Cysoni technology increased cardiac output by 20% compared to current pacemakers.
Bioventrix Inc. acquired Materacor Inc., the developer of a heart failure therapy that uses an injectable alginate-based hydrogel and a minimally invasive endocardial delivery system to restructure the left ventricle and reverse or stop the progression of ischemic or non-ischemic congestive heart failure with reduced ejection faction (HFrEF). The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Biocardia Inc. received FDA breakthrough device designation for its Cardiamp cell therapy system for treatment of heart failure. The good news provided a welcome 27% boost to the share price (NASDAQ:BCDA), lifting it from $1.57 at Wednesday’s close to $2.00 by the market’s close Thursday. Extended timelines for trials associated with the pandemic have hammered the company, which has seen its stock price fall more than 60% in the last two years.
Astrazeneca plc has announced two significant R&D deals with Scorpion Therapeutics Inc. and Benevolentai Ltd., which it hopes will sharpen its research into cancer, lupus and heart failure. Both of the deals involve artificial intelligence (AI) as a way to increase the probability of success during the clinical development process and reduce the chances of costly trial failures.
RTW Investments LP-backed Ji Xing Pharmaceuticals Ltd. has acquired greater China rights to Cytokinetics Inc.’s omecamtiv mecarbil in a deal worth up to $400 million.
RTW Investments LP-backed Ji Xing Pharmaceuticals Ltd. has acquired greater China rights to Cytokinetics Inc.’s omecamtiv mecarbil in a deal worth up to $400 million.
V-Wave Ltd. said on Dec. 17 that it has closed all remaining tranches of a $98 million extended series C financing led by Deerfield Management. The funds will be used to complete a pivotal IDE trial for its Ventura interatrial shunt system for the treatment of advanced heart failure (HF) and submit a PMA to the FDA for U.S. marketing approval.
The U.K. National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) issued two health technology assessments dated Nov. 24, including one that gives a guarded recommendation for devices used to narrow the coronary sinus as a treatment for refractory angina. Neovasc Inc., of Richmond, British Columbia, touted the news as a positive for its Reducer device, given that this is the first instance in which NICE has lent any support for a device to treat the condition.
