St. Paul, MN — EnteroMedics Inc. (NASDAQ: ETRM), the developer of medical devices using neuroblocking technology to treat obesity, metabolic diseases and other gastrointestinal disorders, today announced that the European Patent Office has issued a Notice of Intention to Grant a European Patent covering safety features of the Company’s vBloc® Neurometabolic Therapy System. The intention to grant the European patent follows the granting of U.S. patent No. 9,393,420 on July 19, 2016, which covers safety features for an implantable neuroregulator with a rechargeable battery. EnteroMedics has been granted three U.S. patents to date in 2016. The Company holds more than 70 patents on its technology worldwide.
“Receipt of the Notice of Intention to Grant a European Patent underscores the strength and robust nature of our intellectual property portfolio, and reaffirms EnteroMedics’ dominant presence within the neuromodulation device industry in the areas of obesity and gastrointestinal disorders,” said Dan Gladney, President and CEO, EnteroMedics Inc. “As we continue to commercialize and seek broad reimbursement coverage for vBloc Therapy in the United States of America, we look forward to the opportunity to offer our technology in international markets.”
vBloc Therapy works to control sensations of hunger using a pacemaker-like device that is implanted under the skin during a safe, minimally-invasive procedure. The device helps patients feel full and in turn is a key tool in achieving clinically meaningful weight loss. When patients feel the sensation of fullness, they are able to control their appetite, and lose weight without the major lifestyle implications of traditional bariatric surgeries. Unlike traditional surgical weight loss, vBloc Therapy is a long-term solution, which if necessary, can be safely disabled or removed without leaving permanent damage to patient anatomy.
vBloc Therapy is approved for use in helping with weight loss in people aged 18 years and older who are obese, with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 to 45 kg/m2, or a BMI of 35 to 39.9 kg/m2 with a related health condition such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels or obstructive sleep apnea.
About EnteroMedics Inc.
EnteroMedics is a medical device company focused on the development and commercialization of its neuroscience based technology to treat obesity and metabolic diseases. vBloc® Neurometabolic Therapy, delivered by a pacemaker-like device called the Maestro® Rechargeable System, is designed to intermittently block the vagus nerves using high-frequency, low-energy, electrical impulses. EnteroMedics’ Maestro Rechargeable System has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval, CE Mark and is listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.
Forward-Looking Safe Harbor Statement:
This press release contains forward-looking statements about EnteroMedics Inc. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed due to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors including our limited history of operations; our losses since inception and for the foreseeable future; our limited commercial sales experience with our Maestro® Rechargeable System for the treatment of obesity in the United States or in any foreign market other than Australia and the European Community; our ability to regain and then maintain compliance with the Nasdaq continued listing requirements; our ability to commercialize our Maestro System; our dependence on third parties to initiate and perform our clinical trials; the need to obtain regulatory approval for any modifications to our Maestro System; physician adoption of our Maestro System and vBloc® Neurometabolic Therapy; our ability to obtain third party coding, coverage or payment levels; ongoing regulatory compliance; our dependence on third party manufacturers and suppliers; the successful development of our sales and marketing capabilities; our ability to raise additional capital when needed; international commercialization and operation; our ability to attract and retain management and other personnel and to manage our growth effectively; potential product liability claims; potential healthcare fraud and abuse claims; healthcare legislative reform; and our ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection for our technology and products. These and additional risks and uncertainties are described more fully in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly those factors identified as “risk factors” in the annual report on Form 10-K filed March 28, 2016. 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.