Chelmsford, Mass.-based Zoll Medical Corp., which manufactures medical devices and related software solutions, has acquired Respicardia, Inc., a provider of novel implantable neurostimulators for the treatment of moderate to severe central sleep apnea (CSA).
Respicardia’s remedē System is the only implantable device approved by the U.S. FDA to treat moderate to severe CSA in adult patients with reduced cardiac function.1 CSA results in shallow or disrupted breathing during sleep, and many patients with CSA also have heart disease, especially heart failure. Within this population, patients with CSA are at increased risk for hospitalizations and even death.
“Zoll and Respicardia both develop innovative therapies for conditions with large unmet clinical needs, and we share a deep commitment to improving patient outcomes,” says Jon Rennert, CEO of Zoll Medical. “With this acquisition, Zoll will combine its expertise in cardiac and respiratory care with Respicardia’s novel remedē System to make a meaningful difference in the health and quality of life for many patients.”
Respicardia’s remedē System is implanted by a cardiac electrophysiologist during a minimally invasive outpatient procedure. The remedēSystem delivers electrical pulses to one of the phrenic nerves, which send signals to the diaphragm, restoring a more normal breathing pattern during sleep. Respicardia estimates there are more than one million CSA patients in the U.S. alone who could benefit from the remedēSystem, which has been shown to improve sleep, enhance well-being, and reduce daytime sleepiness, enabling better overall health.
“Respicardia is excited to be joining the Zoll family,” says Peter Sommerness, CEO of Respicardia. “As an innovator of safe and effective therapies that address the unmet needs of respiratory and cardiovascular patients, we see tremendous potential ahead with the support of Zoll’s strong brand and global reach.”
