BariaTek Medical Announces the First-in-Human Implantation of Its BariTon™ Device, a Non-Surgical Gastro-Intestinal Medical Device Aiming to Replicate the Efficacy of Obesity Surgery Without the Invasiveness

Rhea-AI Summary

BariaTek Medical, a medical device company, has initiated a first-in-human clinical trial for its product candidate, the BariTon™, to treat obesity and diabetes. The company's product is expected to provide a minimally invasive, reversible, and cost-effective solution for patients suffering from obesity. The clinical trial has been initiated in Australia and Uzbekistan, with positive feedback from the principal investigators. The product aims to reduce food intake and calorie absorption, potentially mimicking the efficacy of sleeve gastrectomy and bypass surgery while offering superior safety and ease of use.

Insights

Medical Research Analyst

The initiation of a First-in-human clinical trial for BariaTek Medical's BariTon™ implant represents a significant milestone in the medical device sector, particularly for obesity and diabetes treatments. The trial's progression into patient enrollment and the successful first implantation is a critical step that could lead to a new, less invasive treatment option for patients. The fact that obesity has been identified as a greater economic burden than cardiovascular diseases and cancer underscores the potential market impact of an effective treatment solution. The BariTon™ device, which offers a dual effect of reducing food intake and calorie absorption, could disrupt the current treatment paradigm if proven safe and effective.

From a research perspective, the outcomes of this trial are anticipated with great interest. The device's ability to potentially mimic the efficacy of existing surgical options while offering superior safety, ease of use, reversibility and lower cost could significantly alter the competitive landscape. It is worth noting that the device's success in clinical trials may lead to a shift in healthcare spending from more invasive surgical procedures to endoscopic solutions, potentially reducing long-term healthcare costs associated with obesity-related complications.

Healthcare Economist

Considering the economic implications, BariaTek Medical's BariTon™ could represent a substantial cost-saving alternative to traditional bariatric surgeries. Current surgical treatments are not only expensive but also present risks of severe adverse events, which can lead to further healthcare expenditures. If the BariTon™ implant proves to be an effective and safer alternative, it could alleviate some of the financial strain on healthcare systems globally. The economic burden of obesity, which surpasses that of other major diseases, suggests a large addressable market for BariaTek's innovation.

Furthermore, the healthcare system could see reduced indirect costs from obesity, such as lost productivity and associated comorbidities, if the BariTon™ provides a more accessible and less disruptive treatment option. The speed of recovery and the outpatient nature of the procedure, as evidenced by the patient's rapid return to work, could translate into economic benefits for both patients and employers.

Biotechnology Market Analyst

From an investment standpoint, the advancement of BariaTek Medical's BariTon™ into first-in-human trials is a noteworthy development within the biotechnology sector. The obesity treatment market is vast and growing and innovations that offer a combination of efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness are well-positioned to capture significant market share. The BariTon™ device's unique approach to obesity treatment, if successful, could attract attention from larger medical device companies interested in potential partnerships or acquisitions, especially given the high prevalence of obesity and related health issues.

Investors should monitor the progress of this clinical trial closely, as positive results could lead to increased valuation for BariaTek Medical and interest from public markets should the company consider an IPO or seek additional funding. It's also important to track how this device compares with other minimally invasive solutions in terms of patient outcomes and market adoption, which will be key indicators of its commercial potential.

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- BariaTek Medical, a privately held medical device company dedicated to the development of minimally invasive endoscopically delivered solutions to treat obesity and diabetes, founded by Truffle Capital, announced it has initiated enrollment of patients in its First-in-human clinical trial in both Australia and Uzbekistan, and has successfully performed its first-in-human implantation.

Obesity is a chronic and debilitating disease affecting more than one billion people worldwide. It bears a tremendous economic burden to healthcare systems surpassing that of cardiovascular diseases and cancer and its prevalence is increasing worldwide. It often leads to diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and reduced life expectancy.

Bariatric surgery currently remains the most effective approach to treat obesity and limits the resulting complications, but surgery is poorly perceived, alters anatomy permanently, is costly, and can result in severe adverse events. Obesity pharmaceutical therapies could provide an effective alternative solution for some patients, but they are very expensive and poorly tolerated in many, resulting in their cessation and corresponding regain of the lost weight. Furthermore, they could be associated with multiple under-reported side-effects and off-label prescriptions. As for available minimally invasive endoscopic solutions, they enjoy variable safety but lack efficacy.

BariaTek Medical’s product candidate, the BariTon™, is a soft, atraumatic, reversible implant that is delivered via a simple endoscopy through the mouth within a few minutes and in an outpatient setting. It consists of a gastric part and an intestinal part, thereby having a dual effect: reduced food intake and calorie absorption. The BariTon™ is expected to be the first implant of its kind to potentially mimic the efficacy of sleeve gastrectomy and bypass surgery¹ and offer superior safety, ease of use, reversibility, and lower cost.

Dr. Abdurashid Abdukarimov, Principal Investigator, Bariatric Surgeon at the Center of Surgery in Tashkent Uzbekistan who has led the first human implant said: “I am extremely pleased with the outcome of this first-in-human implantation. The endoscopic procedure was smooth, and the patient recovered very rapidly. She was back at work the day after she was discharged. I would like to thank the support of the BariaTek medical and engineering team, who made the trip to our center, and we look forward to the next steps in this groundbreaking first-in-human study.”

Dr. Adrian Sartoretto, Principal Investigator, Bariatric Endoscopist and Director of the BMI Clinic in Sydney Australia said: “The daily life of patients suffering from obesity can be difficult and associated with multiple comorbidities if not treated optimally. The BariTon™ device meets a growing demand for a more innovative, minimally invasive, effective, and reversible solution and we look forward to evaluating its safety and efficacy in our center.”

Dr. Thierry Manos and Dr. Christophe Bastid (Marseilles, France), Bariatric Endoscopists and co-inventors of the BariTon™ said: “We were delighted to participate in this first-in-human implantation. The procedure went according to plan and we look forward to the outcome of this clinical study.”

Youssef Biadillah, CEO of BariaTek Medical said: “Obesity is a global pandemic and none of the therapeutic options available today is optimal. We are thrilled about the prospect of bringing our highly differentiated solution, the BariTon™, to obesity gastroenterologists and surgeons and to patients worldwide. More patients need to be treated and carefully monitored and close interactions with regulatory agencies and payors need to take place, to draw conclusions on its safety, efficacy, indications and market potential.”

About BariaTek Medical

BariaTek Medical, based in Paris France, is a privately held medical device company dedicated to the development of minimally invasive endoscopically delivered medical devices to treat obesity and limit its complications. BariaTek Medical was founded by Truffle Capital, a premier life science venture capital fund (Paris) and founder (or co-founder) of multiple MedTech and Biotech companies such as Abivax (NASDAQ & Euronext : ABVX), Carmat (Euronext: ALCAR), Carbios (Euronext ALCRB), Vexim (acquired by Stryker), Symetis (acquired by Boston Scientific), Caranx Medical, Artedrone, EvextaBio and Affluent Medical (Euronext: AFME).

¹ Sleeve gastrectomy is a surgical procedure consists of removing a large part of the stomach; Bypass bariatric surgery consists of both removing a large part of the stomach and shunting part of the intestine.

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Primatice

Armand Rigaudy – armandrigaudy@primatice.com / 07 88 96 41 84

Source: BariaTek Medical

FAQ

What is the name of the medical device company that initiated a first-in-human clinical trial for its product candidate, the BariTon™?

BariaTek Medical

Where has the first-in-human clinical trial for the BariTon™ been initiated?

Australia and Uzbekistan

What is the BariTon™ device expected to achieve in treating obesity and diabetes?

It aims to reduce food intake and calorie absorption, potentially mimicking the efficacy of sleeve gastrectomy and bypass surgery while offering superior safety and ease of use.

Who is the CEO of BariaTek Medical?

Youssef Biadillah