EndoStim Therapy for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Launched in Mexico

NIJMEGEN, Netherlands and ST. LOUIS, May 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- EndoStim is pleased to launch its minimally-invasive therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in Mexico, in collaboration with Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Medicas y Nutricion "Salvador Zubiran" (INCMNSZ) and Instituto de Artes Medicas at San Jose – TEC of Monterrey Medical Center.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140213/CG64360

EndoStim's LES Stimulation therapy received approval from COFEPRIS, the Mexican health authority, in late 2014, and is now available to patients in Mexico City and Monterrey, with plans for further expansion throughout Mexico.

The first patient in Mexico was treated in March, 2014, as part of an international multi-center clinical trial, at the INCMNSZ in Mexico City. The patient successfully underwent the EndoStim procedure under the care of Dr. Gonzalo Torres and Professor Dr. Miguel Valdovinos, Chief of Gastrointestinal Motility, at the INCMNSZ in Mexico City.

"We believe that EndoStim will have an important role in the treatment of GERD.  GERD is extremely common in Mexico and EndoStim® will be an excellent option for our patients who are not satisfied with medical treatment and do not wish to undergo a fundoplication. We are very excited to initiate EndoStim® therapy in Mexico and will lead the way for more widespread use for GERD patients in Mexico," added Dr. Valdovinos and Dr. Torres.

"There is a significant need for a new GERD procedure with nearly no side effects. EndoStim is unique because it truly addresses the underlying problem of reflux without significantly changing the patient's anatomy," said Dr. Genaro Vasquez, gastroenterologist at the Instituto de Artes Medicas at San Jose in Monterrey.

"Our initial results have been very promising; patients reported an excellent recovery time, and as early as from the second post-operative week, total symptom control. The availability of EndoStim can change the way we think about reflux treatment," added Dr. David Aguirre, surgeon at the Instituto de Artes Medicas at San Jose in Monterrey.

"We are thrilled to collaborate with Dr. Valdovinos, Dr. Torres, Dr. Vasquez and Dr. Aguirre to introduce EndoStim therapy in Mexico," comments Simone Arins, Vice President of Business Development – Latin America, at EndoStim.

EndoStim is partnering with Mexico City-based Endomedica to introduce its technology in Mexico. Nearly 200 GERD patients worldwide have been successfully treated with EndoStim therapy to date.

About EndoStim

EndoStim is a venture-backed medical device company based in St. Louis, Missouri, and Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

EndoStim's neurostimulation therapy is a minimally-invasive, long-term treatment for severe reflux patients that directly targets the patient's weak or dysfunctional lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle between the stomach and the esophagus – often the underlying cause of reflux.

The EndoStim system is CE Marked for patients with gastro-esophageal reflux disease with symptom duration of 6 months or longer. EndoStim is available in a number of countries throughout Europe, Latin America, and Asia Pacific. The EndoStim system is not approved for sale in the US and is limited by US federal law to investigational use only.

About Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a chronic disease that affects hundreds of millions of patients worldwide, and often requires lifelong treatment with acid blocker medications. Symptoms generally occur when weakness or dysfunction in the lower esophageal sphincter muscle allows stomach contents to flow backward into the esophagus causing esophageal inflammation and damage. Acid reflux causes heartburn, regurgitation and can lead to Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer. Millions of patients continue to suffer from bothersome GERD symptoms despite maximal medical therapy.

For more information and news about EndoStim, please visit www.endostim.com.mx

CONTACT: [email protected]

SOURCE EndoStim

Related Links

http://www.endostim.com