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| Foam System for Acute Hemorrhage expanding in the abdominal cavity--Screenshot courtesy of Arsenal Medical |
Medtronic ($MDT) has invested in a subsidiary of Arsenal Medical, a startup focused on developing a polymer-based foam to control intra-abdominal bleeding. The device giant gains an option to acquire the subsidiary, Arsenal AAA, upon the achievement of undisclosed milestones. Medtronic also didn't reveal how much it invested in the deal.
The subsidiary is developing a foam and accompanying delivery mechanism to fill the aneurysmal sac around an endograft, which involves the minimally invasive placement of a stent via a catheter to prevent the rupture of the aneurysm that is used to treat abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). The idea is to insert the foam via a catheter; it then expands to fill the aneurysmal sac around an endograft to stabilize the aneurysm and reduce the potential for endoleaks.
"The investment will allow Arsenal AAA to utilize its expertise in foam technologies to address persistent endoleaks that can occur after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) procedures," Daveen Chopra, VP and GM of the aortic division within Medtronic's Cardiac and Vascular Group, said in a statement. "This investment is in line with Medtronic's aortic strategy of continuing to innovate in the core AAA markets and complements our organic investments in next-generation stent graft programs."
Ultimately, Medtronic's interest is to be able to market the foam for surgical use in conjunction with these minimally invasive endografts, which, of course, it markets. It has the Endurant II AAA Stent Graft System; the original iteration of this product was first approved in December 2010. In April, Medtonic started a clinical trial for its latest iteration, Endurant Evo AAA stent graft system, which is intended to simplify the procedure as well as to increase customization options.
Arsenal's foam has been studied more broadly for the prevention of abdominal bleeding, including for soldiers in the battlefield.
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| Maria Palasis |
Earlier this month, Arsenal Medical got a $16 million venture investment to develop the foam, which is slated to start clinical testing later this year for acute abdominal hemorrhage, as well as a coaxial nanofiber technology for controlled drug delivery that's already partnered with two undisclosed pharma partners.
"Medtronic's strategic investment in Arsenal AAA validates our breakthrough in situ forming foam platform," said Aresenal CEO Dr. Maria Palasis in a statement. "Medtronic's leading market position and expertise in this field will help accelerate the introduction of this novel technology to the broader AAA community."
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