Chelmsford, Mass.-based medical device manufacturer Zoll Medical Corp. has acquired TherOx, Inc., of Irvine, Calif., a privately held company. TherOx is focused on improving treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and markets systems to deliver super-saturated oxygen (SSO2) therapy.
SSO2 therapy, which was recently approved by the FDA, has been demonstrated to reduce infarct size after primary coronary intervention (PCI) with stenting in patients with left anterior descending ST-elevation myocardial infarction. When a large ischemic area of muscle damage remains following AMI, the patient condition often deteriorates into debilitating heart failure.
SSO2 therapy can be applied in an AMI immediately after the coronary artery has been opened by PCI, by delivering a one-time, 60-minute infusion of the patient’s super oxygenated blood to the targeted ischemic area of the heart through a small catheter. SSO2 therapy infuses super oxygenated blood to improve microvascular flow, then restores heart tissue to normal oxygen level. SSO2 therapy is aligned with current guidelines for interventional cardiology procedures.
“Zoll and TherOx are both focused on emergency cardiac care,” says Neil Johnston, president of Zoll Circulation. “This acquisition expands the Zoll product portfolio in support of excellence for patients and caregivers.”
“SSO2 therapy can help reduce infarct size among patients who suffer from large anterior AMIs, which are the most serious heart attacks,” said Kevin T. Larkin, President and Chief Executive Officer of TherOx. “Adjunctive to PCI, SSO2 therapy is intended to salvage heart muscle and reduce infarct size.”
“We are looking forward to becoming part of Zoll so that together, we can bring this breakthrough treatment option to more patients sooner,” Larkin adds.
“No delay in door-to-balloon times and improved clinical outcomes is a combination we think physicians will find appealing,” Johnston notes. “Because SSO2 therapy is delivered following PCI and stenting, there is no disruption of today’s workflow in the cath lab.”
TherOx is focused on commercializing SSO2 therapy for the sizeable AMI patient population to save hearts, improving and ultimately saving lives. Clinical trials show consistent benefit to the patient, as relevant to the standard of care, and a reduction in infarct size of 26%.