ReShape Lifesciences® Signs Distribution Agreement in Canada With Liaison Medical for its Next-Generation Lap-Band® 2.0 FLEX
ReShape Lifesciences (Nasdaq: RSLS) has signed a distribution agreement with Liaison Medical for its next-generation Lap-Band® 2.0 FLEX in Canada, following Health Canada's approval in November 2024. This enhanced weight loss device features innovative FLEX technology that acts as a relief valve when patients swallow large food pieces, potentially eliminating the need for in-office band adjustments.
Paul F. Hickey, ReShape's CEO, noted that initial surgeon feedback from the U.S. market release has been "overwhelmingly positive." Denis Langevin, CEO of Liaison Medical, expressed excitement about the partnership, highlighting his company's position as one of Canada's largest surgical device distributors with established relationships with bariatric surgeons. Langevin believes the improved features of the Lap-Band® 2.0 FLEX will serve as a "growth catalyst" for ReShape Lifesciences.
ReShape Lifesciences (Nasdaq: RSLS) ha firmato un accordo di distribuzione con Liaison Medical per il suo Lap-Band® 2.0 FLEX di nuova generazione in Canada, dopo l'approvazione da parte di Health Canada nel novembre 2024. Questo dispositivo per la perdita di peso migliorato presenta una innovativa tecnologia FLEX che funge da valvola di sfogo quando i pazienti ingoiano pezzi di cibo grandi, eliminando potenzialmente la necessità di regolazioni della banda in ufficio.
Paul F. Hickey, CEO di ReShape, ha notato che il feedback iniziale dei chirurghi dal rilascio sul mercato statunitense è stato "straordinariamente positivo". Denis Langevin, CEO di Liaison Medical, ha espresso entusiasmo per la partnership, sottolineando la posizione della sua azienda come uno dei maggiori distributori di dispositivi chirurgici in Canada, con relazioni consolidate con i chirurghi bariatrici. Langevin crede che le funzionalità migliorate del Lap-Band® 2.0 FLEX fungeranno da "catalizzatore di crescita" per ReShape Lifesciences.
ReShape Lifesciences (Nasdaq: RSLS) ha firmado un acuerdo de distribución con Liaison Medical para su Lap-Band® 2.0 FLEX de nueva generación en Canadá, tras la aprobación de Health Canada en noviembre de 2024. Este dispositivo mejorado para la pérdida de peso cuenta con una innovadora tecnología FLEX que actúa como una válvula de alivio cuando los pacientes ingieren trozos grandes de comida, eliminando potencialmente la necesidad de ajustes de banda en la oficina.
Paul F. Hickey, CEO de ReShape, señaló que la retroalimentación inicial de los cirujanos tras el lanzamiento en el mercado estadounidense ha sido "abrumadoramente positiva". Denis Langevin, CEO de Liaison Medical, expresó su entusiasmo por la asociación, destacando la posición de su empresa como uno de los mayores distribuidores de dispositivos quirúrgicos en Canadá, con relaciones establecidas con cirujanos bariátricos. Langevin cree que las características mejoradas del Lap-Band® 2.0 FLEX servirán como un "catalizador de crecimiento" para ReShape Lifesciences.
ReShape Lifesciences (Nasdaq: RSLS)는 Liaison Medical와 함께 캐나다에서 차세대 Lap-Band® 2.0 FLEX의 유통 계약을 체결했습니다. 이는 2024년 11월 Health Canada의 승인을 받은 후 이루어진 것입니다. 이 향상된 체중 감소 장치는 환자가 큰 음식 조각을 삼킬 때 완화 밸브 역할을 하는 혁신적인 FLEX 기술을 특징으로 하여, 사무실에서의 밴드 조정 필요성을 없앨 수 있습니다.
ReShape의 CEO인 Paul F. Hickey는 미국 시장 출시 후 초기 외과의사들의 피드백이 "압도적으로 긍정적이었다"고 언급했습니다. Liaison Medical의 CEO인 Denis Langevin은 파트너십에 대한 기대감을 나타내며, 자사의 위치가 캐나다에서 가장 큰 외과 기기 유통업체 중 하나로서 비만 외과 의사들과의 확고한 관계를 강조했습니다. Langevin은 Lap-Band® 2.0 FLEX의 개선된 기능이 ReShape Lifesciences의 "성장 촉진제" 역할을 할 것이라고 믿고 있습니다.
ReShape Lifesciences (Nasdaq: RSLS) a signé un accord de distribution avec Liaison Medical pour son Lap-Band® 2.0 FLEX de nouvelle génération au Canada, suite à l'approbation de Santé Canada en novembre 2024. Cet appareil de perte de poids amélioré présente une technologie FLEX innovante qui agit comme une soupape de décharge lorsque les patients avalent de gros morceaux de nourriture, éliminant potentiellement le besoin d'ajustements de bande en cabinet.
Paul F. Hickey, PDG de ReShape, a noté que les premiers retours des chirurgiens suite à la sortie sur le marché américain ont été "extrêmement positifs". Denis Langevin, PDG de Liaison Medical, a exprimé son enthousiasme pour ce partenariat, soulignant la position de son entreprise en tant que l'un des plus grands distributeurs de dispositifs chirurgicaux au Canada, avec des relations établies avec des chirurgiens bariatriques. Langevin pense que les fonctionnalités améliorées du Lap-Band® 2.0 FLEX serviront de "catalyseur de croissance" pour ReShape Lifesciences.
ReShape Lifesciences (Nasdaq: RSLS) hat einen Vertriebsvertrag mit Liaison Medical für sein Lap-Band® 2.0 FLEX der nächsten Generation in Kanada unterzeichnet, nachdem Health Canada im November 2024 die Genehmigung erteilt hat. Dieses verbesserte Gewichtsverlustgerät verfügt über eine innovative FLEX-Technologie, die als Druckventil fungiert, wenn Patienten große Nahrungsstücke schlucken, was potenziell die Notwendigkeit von Anpassungen des Bands in der Praxis beseitigt.
Paul F. Hickey, CEO von ReShape, stellte fest, dass das anfängliche Feedback von Chirurgen nach der Markteinführung in den USA "überwältigend positiv" war. Denis Langevin, CEO von Liaison Medical, äußerte Begeisterung über die Partnerschaft und hob die Position seines Unternehmens als einen der größten Anbieter von chirurgischen Geräten in Kanada hervor, mit etablierten Beziehungen zu bariatrischen Chirurgen. Langevin glaubt, dass die verbesserten Funktionen des Lap-Band® 2.0 FLEX als "Wachstumsmotor" für ReShape Lifesciences dienen werden.
- New Canadian distribution agreement for next-generation Lap-Band® 2.0 FLEX
- Health Canada approval received in November 2024
- Partnership with one of Canada's largest surgical device distributors
- Initial U.S. surgeon feedback described as "overwhelmingly positive"
- FLEX technology eliminates need for in-office band adjustments
- Expected to meaningfully add to Lap-Band® franchise sales
- Financial terms of the distribution agreement not disclosed
- Timeline for Canadian market launch not specified
- No specific revenue projections provided
Insights
ReShape Lifesciences has secured a potentially significant distribution agreement with Liaison Medical for its Lap-Band® 2.0 FLEX in Canada, following November 2024 Health Canada approval. This development deserves investor attention for several key reasons.
The Canadian bariatric surgery market represents a meaningful opportunity for ReShape, with obesity rates reaching approximately 26% of the adult population. For a micro-cap company with just $3.7 million market capitalization, geographic expansion through an established distributor provides a capital-efficient growth pathway that doesn't strain the company's resources.
The technology differentiation of the Lap-Band® 2.0 FLEX addresses a critical historical limitation of gastric banding procedures. The new "relief valve" functionality that temporarily relaxes when patients swallow large food pieces potentially solves the frequent adjustment requirements that led many surgeons to abandon earlier-generation bands in favor of more permanent procedures like sleeve gastrectomy. This could reposition the Lap-Band as a reversible, less invasive alternative in the bariatric surgery toolkit.
Partnering with Liaison Medical—one of Canada's largest surgical device distributors—gives ReShape immediate access to established relationships with hospitals and bariatric surgeons, avoiding the lengthy and expensive process of building a direct sales force. This distribution-led model allows for faster market penetration while preserving capital.
However, investors should recognize several challenges: ReShape faces intense competition in the weight management space from both surgical alternatives and newer GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Ozempic. Additionally, the company reported just $2.2 million in total revenue for Q3 2024, highlighting its precarious financial position. While this Canadian expansion represents progress, ReShape needs significant revenue acceleration to achieve sustainability.
The announcement lacks specific financial projections or exclusivity terms, making it difficult to quantify the near-term revenue impact. Given the company's micro-cap status, even modest success in the Canadian market could meaningfully impact financial results, but investors should monitor upcoming earnings calls for adoption metrics and revenue contribution before drawing conclusions about this deal's transformative potential.
Liaison Medical is Among the Largest Surgical Device Distributors in Canada
IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ReShape Lifesciences® (Nasdaq: RSLS), the premier physician-led weight loss and metabolic health solutions company, today announced that it has signed a distribution agreement with Liaison Medical for distribution of ReShape’s next generation, enhanced Lap-Band® 2.0 FLEX and Tubing Kit, in Canada.
“The signing of this distribution agreement in Canada, on the heels of the November 2024 approval by Health Canada for the Lap-Band® 2.0 FLEX, is a testament to our commitment to broadly launching this important product to improve the patient experience,” stated Paul F. Hickey, President and Chief Executive Officer of ReShape Lifesciences. “Initial surgeon feedback from our limited market release of the Lap-Band® 2.0 FLEX in the U.S. was overwhelmingly positive. The new FLEX technology, which acts as a relief valve to alleviate discomfort from swallowing large pieces of food, can eliminate the need for in-office band adjustments as the band momentarily relaxes before returning to its resting diameter. We look forward to working closely with Liaison Medical on the launch of the Lap-Band 2.0 FLEX in Canada which we believe, over time, will meaningfully add to the sales of the Lap-Band® franchise.”
“We are excited to partner with ReShape Lifesciences and add the Lap-Band® 2.0 FLEX to our portfolio of innovative surgical devices,” added Denis Langevin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Liaison Medical. “Based on our extensive experience and deep relationships with hospitals, we have become one of the largest surgical device distributors in Canada. As a result, we already know the bariatric surgeons and believe, based on the improved features of the Lap-Band® 2.0 FLEX, that this device will be a growth catalyst for the Company.”
About Liaison Medical
Liaison Medical, founded in 2012 and based in Montreal Canada is a medical distributor specializing in the delivery of innovative surgical devices to hospitals. Based upon their extensive experience, the company is the liaison between Manufacturers and hospitals for the Operation Room and Endoscopy departments. Liaison Medical’s mission is to provide exclusive products to customers and growth to its suppliers and is uniquely positioned to deliver expert strategies through proven processes and methodologies.
About ReShape Lifesciences®
ReShape Lifesciences® is America’s premier weight loss and metabolic health-solutions company, offering an integrated portfolio of proven products and services that manage and treat obesity and metabolic disease. The FDA-approved Lap-Band® System provides minimally invasive, long-term treatment of obesity and is an alternative to more invasive surgical stapling procedures such as the gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy. The investigational Diabetes Bloc-Stim Neuromodulation™ (DBSN™) system utilizes a proprietary vagus nerve block and stimulation technology platform for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and metabolic disorders. The Obalon® balloon technology is a non-surgical, swallowable, gas-filled intra-gastric balloon that is designed to provide long-lasting weight loss. For more information, please visit www.reshapelifesciences.com.
Forward-Looking Safe Harbor Statement
This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed due to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of words such as "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "could," "may," "intend," "will," "continue," "future," other words of similar meaning and the use of future dates. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements about the company’s expected commercial launch of the Lap-Band® 2.0 FLEX in Canada and related expected sales growth. These and additional risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those factors identified as "risk factors" in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We are providing this information as of the date of this press release and do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this document as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
CONTACTS
ReShape Lifesciences Investor Contact:
Paul F. Hickey
President and Chief Executive Officer
949-276-7223
ir@ReShapeLifesci.com
Investor Relations Contact:
Rx Communications Group
Michael Miller
(917)-633-6086
mmiller@rxir.com
FAQ
What is the key feature of ReShape Lifesciences' Lap-Band® 2.0 FLEX that differentiates it from previous versions?
When did Health Canada approve RSLS's Lap-Band® 2.0 FLEX for distribution?
Who is ReShape Lifesciences' distribution partner for the Lap-Band® 2.0 FLEX in Canada?
How has the initial market response been to RSLS's Lap-Band® 2.0 FLEX in the United States?
What potential impact could the Canadian distribution agreement have on RSLS's financial performance?
