CerebralRx launches FitNeS vagus nerve stimulation system for treating epilepsy

CerebralRx, a newly formed spin-off of implantable neuromodulation systems developer BioControl Medical, has announced market entry with the launch of its FitNeS vagus nerve stimulation system. Designed to treat epilepsy patients with partial onset seizures who do not achieve full seizure control with available prescription drugs (or those with "refractory epilepsy"), the FitNeS system has been successfully implanted in the first two patients at the Institute for Clinical Neurosciences at the Shalgrenska Academy in Götenberg, Sweden. CerebralRx has also reported its first order for the FitNeS system from the AMS Group, a leading distributor of neuromodulation medical devices in Italy.

The FitNeS system employs platform technology developed by BioControl Medical, maker of the CardioFit^® system for treating congestive heart failure (HF). CerebralRx spun out of BioControl Medical to expand the use of this technology outside of cardiology for the treatment of a range of neurological disorders, including epilepsy.

"The formation of CerebralRx and launch of FitNeS are significant milestones that will increase our technology's penetration in the global neuromodulation market," said Ehud Cohen, Ph.D., chief executive officer of BioControl Medical. "CerebralRx is built on years of development of the CardioFit by BioControl Medical, giving it the scientific and business foundation essential for success as it targets the field of neurology. The first implants and first commercial order of FitNeS are great testaments to the early interest in this new treatment option for patients with refractory epilepsy."

CerebralRx's FitNeS consists of an implanted stimulator and stimulation lead, which work together to deliver electrical signals to the left vagus nerve. Designed to deliver targeted, unidirectional nerve stimulation, the system effectively activates nerve fibers toward the brain while minimizing the activation of non-related nerve fibers. This selective approach has the potential to increase stimulation effectiveness while minimizing risk of side effects.

"The opportunity presented by FitNeS system is exceptional, thanks to the characteristics and the innovation brought by this device. In my opinion, the FitNeS system will capture a segment of the vagus nerve stimulation market with no competitors among the producers of active implantable systems and will conquer part of the market that to date has been stronghold of the pharmaceutical companies," said Mauro Vendrami, president and chief executive officer of the AMS Group. "For more than 20 years, we have collaborated with companies that produce active implantable systems, but we have seldom experienced the level of synergy, collaboration and enthusiasm that we have found in the CerebralRx team."

CerebralRx is launching FitNeS into a therapeutic area with a very large patient population. Epilepsy is a common condition estimated to affect 50 million people worldwide. More than one percent of the population is at risk for developing chronic epilepsy, and onset may occur at any age. The prevalence of active epilepsy in the United States is estimated at nearly three million, with 200,000 new cases diagnosed every year; in Europe, these prevalence and annual diagnosis statistics are estimated at 3.5 million and 300,000, respectively. Fifty percent of patients with epilepsy suffer from partial onset seizures, which are typically treated with anti-epileptic prescription drugs. However, 30 percent of these patients are "refractory," or unable to achieve seizure control with available drug therapy.