LAGUNA HILLS, Calif., Oct. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Vessix Vascular, Inc., a developer of novel percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) balloon catheter technology for the treatment of hypertension, announced today that it has been named to the FierceMedicalDevices "Fierce 15" list, designating it as one of the leading medical device and diagnostic companies of 2012. Vessix was chosen as one of the Fierce 15 based, in part, on the innovation, creativity and promise of the Vessix V2 Renal Denervation System™ for the treatment of hypertension.
"With the V2 System, Vessix is poised to make a splash in one of the device world's hottest markets," said FierceMedicalDevices Editor Damian Garde.
Hypertension is the leading attributable cause of death worldwide. Industry analysts suggest that there are more than 12 million patients worldwide whose blood pressure remains uncontrolled despite taking three or more anti-hypertensive medications, representing a global market opportunity for renal denervation that could ultimately grow to $30 billion.
Renal denervation is a percutaneous, catheter-based therapy that uses RF (radiofrequency) energy to disrupt renal sympathetic nerves whose hyperactivity leads to uncontrolled high blood pressure. According to the American Heart Association, a 5 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) reduction in systolic blood pressure results in a 14 percent decrease in stroke, a 9 percent decrease in heart disease and a 7 percent decrease in overall mortality. Renal denervation has shown in published clinical studies to be safe, durable and effective in reducing systolic blood pressure by approximately 20 percent.
Vessix is currently conducting the REDUCE-HTN post-market study which is a 120-patient international non-randomized renal denervation clinical study being conducted at over 20 sites in Western Europe and Australasia.
The patented V2 System is approved for sale throughout the European Union and Australia and is anticipated to be commercially available within 2012.
About the Vessix V2 Renal Denervation System
- The V2 System for the treatment of uncontrolled hypertension is an over-the-wire balloon catheter with an array of RF electrodes mounted in a precise pattern designed to deliver a modest dose of RF energy to disrupt the renal nerves located in the adventitia that surround the renal artery. The patented RF balloon catheter connects to a proprietary bipolar RF generator specifically designed and optimized for the renal denervation clinical application.
- Therapy is delivered via a balloon catheter that is quite familiar to interventional cardiologists and other physicians, thereby increasing the usability and safety profile of the device.
- The V2 balloon catheter occludes blood flow to the renal artery during the 30-second RF therapy delivery allowing for a directed and highly controlled flow of heat energy to the target nerves. Consequently, the V2 is significantly faster – by an order of magnitude – than other renal denervation systems currently marketed.
- Rapid RF treatment time greatly increases the efficiency of the denervation procedure and additional safety benefits to the clinician conducting the procedure and the patient in terms of less use of contrast dye and lower exposure to radiation.
About Vessix Vascular, Inc.
Founded in 2003, Vessix is a private company developing novel RF balloon catheter and bipolar RF generator technology. The Company is backed by world-class European and U.S. venture capital firms including NeoMed Management, Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners and OrbiMed Advisors LLC. For more information on Vessix Vascular, please visit the Company's website at www.vessixvascular.com or contact Matt Clawson at Allen & Caron Inc at +1-949-474-4300 or via email at matt@allencaron.com.
SOURCE Vessix Vascular, Inc.