Medigus announces completion of three MUSE procedures for GERD treatment in Italy

Broader adoption of MUSE strengthens Medigus' growth potential in Europe following completion of several procedures in leading healthcare institutions

Medigus Ltd. (TASE: MDGS), a medical device company developing minimally invasive endosurgical tools and a leader in direct visualization technology, announced the completion of three MUSE procedures in Italy by renowned gastroenterologist, Professor Pier Alberto Testoni, Director of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy IRCCS at San Raffaele Hospital in Milan. The Medigus Ultrasonic Surgical Endostapler, or MUSE, is used for an incisionless procedure for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Since their treatments in February, all three of Professor Testoni's patients have reported a decrease in their reflux symptoms, decrease or elimination of anti-reflux medication use, and no post treatment pain or discomforts. Patients were released from the hospital about 2 days following their procedures, with no complications.

"MUSE offers several benefits over the leading laparoscopic method for the long-term treatment of GERD", said Professor Testoni. "I was able to complete a single procedure in about one hour, since the device is fully integrated with all capabilities and the treatment can be administered by a single physician. Because it requires no incisions, the patients reported greater comfort during treatment, their hospital stays were reduced by 50% through treatment with MUSE over more invasive fundoplication procedures, and they were able to return to most of their daily activities after about a week. In follow up visits, all three patients have reported feeling significant relief from their GERD symptoms."

Medigus has merged recent breakthroughs in visualization, ultrasound and surgical stapling capabilities into a single platform with MUSE. The device is fully integrated with leading microvisual, ultrasonic and stapling technology, and therefore allows a single physician or surgeon to perform fundoplication (connecting the upper part of the stomach, or fundus, to the lower esophageal sphincter). MUSE has the potential to improve GERD-related quality of life for many patients by addressing the root cause of the disorder, not just offer symptom relief, which is often in contrast to many drug therapies.

"We are proud to partner with a leading name in the field of gastroenterology, such as Professor Testoni, to offer a less-invasive and more cost-effective option to patients, physicians and the healthcare system in Italy, where GERD is prevalent," said Chris Rowland, CEO of Medigus. "As a single, comprehensive endoscopic device, MUSE uniquely addresses the existing gap in GERD treatment between drug therapy and invasive laparoscopic procedures."

MUSE is FDA cleared and CE marked for the treatment of GERD, and is currently being introduced in key markets across Europe and the U.S. Plans are also in development for distribution in Asia in the next few years.