EnteroMedics Inc. (NASDAQ: ETRM), the developer of medical devices using neuroblocking technology to treat obesity, metabolic diseases and other gastrointestinal disorders, today announced that the Company has submitted a Premarket Approval (PMA) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval of the Maestro® Rechargeable System’s VBLOC® vagal blocking therapy as a treatment for obesity.
“The Maestro System is a unique, neuroscience-based approach to the treatment of this epidemic disease, one which offers the potential to fill a significant gap in the obesity treatment spectrum,” said Mark B. Knudson, Ph.D., EnteroMedics’ President and Chief Executive Officer. “In the hundreds of patients treated to date, in addition to showing clinically meaningful weight loss, VBLOC Therapy has demonstrated an excellent benefit-to-risk profile; a criterion identified by the Agency as central to the review and approvability of new obesity treatment devices. We look forward to maintaining a very open and productive dialogue with the FDA throughout the review process.”
In a recently completed pre-PMA meeting, the FDA indicated that, subject to its acceptance of EnteroMedics’ PMA application and detailed review of the submitted data, the Company can anticipate presenting the PMA before a future FDA Advisory Committee panel. The PMA submission includes data from the Company’s ReCharge Pivotal Trial, a prospective, double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial involving 239 randomized patients (233 implanted) at ten sites in the United States and Australia.
About Maestro Rechargeable (RC) System
The Maestro® RC System delivers VBLOC® vagal blocking therapy via two small electrodes that are laparoscopically implanted and placed in contact with the trunks of the vagus nerve just above the junction between the esophagus and the stomach. The Maestro RC System is powered by an internal, rechargeable battery. The battery is recharged via an external mobile charger and transmit coil that the patient uses for a short time each week. The Maestro RC System has received CE Mark and has been listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.
About the ReCharge Pivotal Trial
The ReCharge Pivotal Trial is a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, multicenter pivotal clinical trial in 239 randomized patients (233 implanted) at 10 sites testing the effectiveness and safety of VBLOC® vagal blocking therapy utilizing EnteroMedics’ second generation Maestro® Rechargeable (RC) System. All patients in the trial received an implanted device and were randomized in a 2:1 allocation to treatment or control groups. The control group received a non-functional device during the trial period. In February, EnteroMedics announced that its ReCharge Trial demonstrated a statistically significant and clinically meaningful excess weight loss (EWL) outcome and excellent safety profile. This included an average EWL of approximately 25% for VBLOC Therapy-treated patients, with over 50% of those patients achieving at least a 20% EWL. While the results demonstrated an excellent safety profile that met the pre-specified trial measures, with both a positive benefit-risk equation and a medically meaningful and clinically significant effect over the control group, the results did not meet the study’s predefined super-superiority efficacy endpoints.
About VBLOC® Therapy
EnteroMedics developed VBLOC® vagal blocking therapy to offer bariatric surgeons and their patients a less invasive alternative to existing surgical weight loss procedures that may present significant risks and alter digestive system anatomy, lifestyle and food choices. VBLOC Therapy is delivered via the Maestro® System through laparoscopically implanted leads to intermittently block the vagus nerves using high-frequency, low-energy electrical impulses. VBLOC Therapy is designed to target the multiple digestive functions under control of the vagus nerves and to affect the perception of hunger and fullness.
About EnteroMedics Inc.
EnteroMedics is a medical device company focused on the development and commercialization of its neuroscience based technology to treat obesity and metabolic diseases. EnteroMedics’ proprietary technology, VBLOC® vagal blocking therapy, delivered by a pacemaker-like device called the Maestro® Rechargeable System, is designed to intermittently block the vagus nerves using high-frequency, low-energy, electrical impulses. VBLOC allows people with obesity to take a positive path towards weight loss, addressing the lifelong challenge of obesity and its comorbidities without sacrificing wellbeing or comfort. EnteroMedics’ Maestro Rechargeable System has received CE Mark and is listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.
