Pulse Biosciences, Inc. Announces Receipt of FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for CellFX® nsPFA Cardiac Surgery System for the Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation

Rhea-AI Summary

Pulse Biosciences has received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for its CellFX® nsPFA Cardiac Surgery System, intended for treating atrial fibrillation (AF). The system uses proprietary nanosecond Pulsed Field Ablation™ technology, featuring a surgical clamp that delivers rapid, consistent ablation lesions during cardiac procedures. This approach is significantly faster and potentially safer than current thermal ablation methods, minimizing risk to surrounding tissues.

The designation facilitates expedited development and review processes by the FDA. Pulse Biosciences plans to pursue Premarket Approval (PMA) for commercialization in the U.S. and expects to start its pivotal clinical trial in 2025, with initial human procedures slated for later this year in the Netherlands.

This milestone underscores the technology's promise as a safer and more effective AF treatment, aiming for faster market introduction and improved patient outcomes.

Positive

• Received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation, expediting development and review.
• Proprietary nsPFA technology allows for faster, consistent ablation with reduced risk to surrounding tissues.
• Plans to pursue PMA for U.S. commercialization, indicating confidence in the technology.
• Expected pivotal clinical trial in 2025, with initial human procedures in the Netherlands this year.

Negative

• None.

Insights

Medical Research Analyst

The FDA Breakthrough Device Designation is significant for Pulse Biosciences' Cardiac Surgery System. This is a valuable milestone because it shows the FDA recognizes the potential of their nanosecond Pulsed Field Ablation (nsPFA) technology to revolutionize the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF). The non-thermal mechanism of nsPFA minimizes the risk of collateral tissue damage, a common issue with traditional thermal ablation techniques. Preclinical data suggesting significantly faster and consistent ablation are promising. However, it’s important to note that this designation does not guarantee FDA approval; the device must still meet the stringent standards for safety and efficacy. The upcoming pivotal clinical trial will be critical in determining how well these preclinical results translate into real-world clinical outcomes. Investors should monitor trial designs and early results from initial clinical procedures in the Netherlands.

Financial Analyst

The FDA Breakthrough Device Designation can be a catalyst for Pulse Biosciences' stock. This designation usually leads to a more streamlined regulatory process and faster time to market, which can translate into quicker revenue generation if the device gets approved. The decision to pursue Premarket Approval (PMA) rather than the 510(k) route indicates that Pulse Biosciences is positioning its technology as a novel and high-impact solution. However, the timeline to commercialization, which includes a pivotal clinical trial planned for 2025, means that significant revenue might not be realized in the short term. Investors should consider this a long-term play and weigh the potential high rewards against the risks associated with clinical trials and regulatory hurdles.

Market Research Analyst

The atrial fibrillation (AF) market is substantial and growing, driven by an aging population and increased prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. Pulse Biosciences' nsPFA technology, if successfully commercialized, could capture a significant market share due to its faster and safer treatment profile compared to existing thermal ablation methods. The FDA Breakthrough Device Designation will likely enhance the company's visibility and credibility in the eyes of healthcare providers and patients. However, competition in the AF treatment space is intense, with several established players. It will be important for Pulse Biosciences to effectively communicate the unique benefits of their technology and build strong relationships with cardiac surgeons and medical centers. The company’s ability to navigate these factors will influence its market adoption and long-term success.

Provides expanded access to FDA and prioritized review of submission

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pulse Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: PLSE) (the “Company” or “Pulse Biosciences”), a company leveraging its novel and proprietary Nanosecond Pulsed Field Ablation™ (nsPFA™) technology, today announced that it has received the Breakthrough Device Designation from the U.S. FDA for the Company’s Cardiac Surgery System for the ablation of cardiac tissue for the treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF).

Pulse Biosciences’ Cardiac Surgery System with Surgical Clamp is designed to produce durable, continuous transmural ablation lesions during cardiac surgery procedures for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. The bipolar clamp utilizes the Company’s proprietary nanosecond PFA technology. Based on pre-clinical studies, a single application of less than 2 seconds with the Surgical Clamp creates a consistent, transmural ablation, which is significantly faster, requiring approximately one-twentieth the time of currently available thermal ablation technologies. Also, due to the non-thermal mechanism of action of nano-PFA, there is no risk of thermal spread that may cause undesired injury to collateral tissues, which compares favorably to thermal radiofrequency ablation.

“The science behind nanosecond pulse field ablation was immediately compelling to me. The theoretical benefits of short-duration, high-amplitude energy pulses with a nonthermal mechanism of action suggest the potential for a safer and more effective treatment. The preclinical data convinced me this technology could significantly advance the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation. The FDA recognized Pulse’s Cardiac Surgery System as Breakthrough and we look forward to continuing our work to provide access to this technology to patients and surgeons as quickly as possible,” said Dr. Niv Ad, Chief Science Officer, Cardiac Surgery of Pulse Biosciences.

The Breakthrough Devices Program is a voluntary program for certain medical devices with the potential to provide more effective treatment or diagnosis of life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating diseases or conditions, such as atrial fibrillation. The Breakthrough Devices Program is intended to provide patients and health care providers with timely access to medical devices by speeding up development, assessment, and review for premarket approval, 510(k) clearance, and De Novo marketing authorization. Breakthrough Devices must still meet the FDA’s rigorous standards for device safety and effectiveness in order to be authorized for marketing.

“The Breakthrough Device Designation granted by the FDA is an exciting milestone for Pulse. It emphasizes the unique potential benefits of nanosecond PFA,” added President and Chief Executive Officer Burke T. Barrett. “We plan to fully leverage the benefits of this designation and have chosen to seek PMA approval to achieve a specific indication for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. We look forward to aligning with the FDA on a pivotal clinical trial design in the near-term and towards initiating our planned first-in-human cases in the Netherlands soon.”

The Company now plans to pursue the premarket approval (PMA) application pathway for FDA approval to market as opposed to the 510(k) route, and once FDA PMA approved, commercialize the nsPFA Cardiac Surgical System in the United States as a treatment for atrial fibrillation. Once granted by the FDA, a specific treatment indication would permit direct marketing of the treatment benefits provided by the device. The Company expects to begin its pivotal clinical trial for AF in 2025 and will provide additional details on the study and its regulatory and commercial implications later this year.

“The preclinical results we have generated with the Cardiac Surgery System have been outstanding and I expect to see similar results in the initial clinical procedures in the Netherlands later this year. Nanosecond PFA has the potential to be a revolutionary advancement for the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation. I am excited to help design the pivotal clinical trial to support a future PMA submission,” stated Dr. Gan Dunnington, Chief Medical Officer, Cardiac Surgery of Pulse Biosciences.

About Pulse Biosciences^®

Pulse Biosciences is a novel bioelectric medicine company committed to health innovation that has the potential to improve the quality of life for patients. The Company’s proprietary CellFX^® nsPFA™ technology delivers nanosecond pulses of electrical energy to non-thermally clear cells while sparing adjacent noncellular tissue. The Company is actively pursuing the development of its CellFX nsPFA technology for use in the treatment of atrial fibrillation and in a select few other markets where it could have a profound positive impact on healthcare for both patients and providers. Pulse Biosciences is now headquartered in Miami, Florida and maintains its office in Hayward, California.

Pulse Biosciences, CellFX, Nano-Pulse Stimulation, NPS, nsPFA, CellFX nsPFA and the stylized logos are among the trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Pulse Biosciences, Inc. in the United States and other countries.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward-looking statements, including, among other things, statements relating to the effectiveness of the Company’s CellFX nsPFA technology and CellFX System to non-thermally clear cells while sparing adjacent non-cellular tissue, statements concerning the Company’s expected product development efforts and future clinical studies and regulatory submissions, whether with the U.S. FDA or otherwise, statements concerning whether any clinical study will show that the Company’s novel nsPFA mechanism of action will deliver fast and precise ablations in cardiac tissue, statements concerning market opportunities, customer adoption and future use of the CellFX System to address a range of conditions such as atrial fibrillation, statements concerning early clinical successes and whether they are predictive of the safety and efficacy of any medical device such as the CellFX nsPFA Cardiac Surgery System, Pulse Biosciences’ expectations, whether stated or implied, regarding whether the Company’s CellFX nsPFA technology will become a disruptive, superior and durable treatment option for treating atrial fibrillation or any other medical condition, and other future events. These statements are not historical facts but rather are based on Pulse Biosciences’ current expectations, estimates, and projections regarding Pulse Biosciences’ business, operations and other similar or related factors. Words such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “anticipate,” “predict,” “potential,” “continue,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “estimates,” and other similar or related expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that are difficult or impossible to predict and, in some cases, beyond Pulse Biosciences’ control. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described in Pulse Biosciences’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Pulse Biosciences undertakes no obligation to revise or update information in this release to reflect events or circumstances in the future, even if new information becomes available.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240708028800/en/

Investors:

Pulse Biosciences, Inc.

Burke T. Barrett, President and CEO

IR@pulsebiosciences.com

Or

Gilmartin Group

Philip Trip Taylor

415.937.5406

philip@gilmartinir.com

Source: Pulse Biosciences, Inc.

FAQ

What is the significance of Pulse Biosciences receiving FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for its CellFX® nsPFA Cardiac Surgery System?

The designation expedites the development and review process, indicating the device's potential to provide a more effective treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF) compared to existing options.

What technology does the CellFX® nsPFA Cardiac Surgery System use?

The system uses proprietary nanosecond Pulsed Field Ablation™ (nsPFA™) technology to create rapid, consistent ablation lesions with reduced risk to surrounding tissues.

When does Pulse Biosciences plan to start the pivotal clinical trial for its CellFX® nsPFA Cardiac Surgery System?

The company expects to begin its pivotal clinical trial for the treatment of atrial fibrillation in 2025.

What are the planned next steps for Pulse Biosciences after receiving the FDA Breakthrough Device Designation?

Pulse Biosciences plans to pursue Premarket Approval (PMA) for U.S. commercialization and will start initial human procedures in the Netherlands later this year.

How does the nsPFA technology compare to current thermal ablation methods?

nsPFA technology is significantly faster, requiring one-twentieth the time of thermal ablation methods, and minimizes the risk of thermal spread to surrounding tissues.