Medtronic Acquires Transneuronix

Following the formation of a new obesity business unit, Medtronic, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN, USA), has acquired Transneuronix, Inc. (Mt. Arlington, NJ, USA), which is focused on a treatment for obesity.

Under the terms of the agreement, Medtronic made an initial payment of U.S.$260 million for the company and will make additional payments if significant revenue objectives are achieved.

"Medtronic has been invested in Transneuronix, and we know the technology very well,” stated Gary Lubben, vice president and general manager of Medtronic's Obesity Management.

Transneuronix has been conducting research using implanted gastric electrical stimulation devices for the treatment of obesity. Since the first implant in 1995, more than 700 patients have been implanted with Transcend, the company's implantable Gastric Stimulator. Transneuronix has completed enrollment in a U.S. pivotal trial, a multi-center, blinded, randomized control study designed to demonstrate weight loss in comparison to a control group.

In addition, Medtronic has announced the initiation of its own ASSIST (Appetite Suppression Induced by Stimulation Trial) feasibility trial to test the safety and efficacy of gastric stimulation for the treatment of obesity in patients with type 2 diabetes. The leads, or wires, are implanted into the wall of the stomach via laparoscopy.

"Gastric electrical stimulation could be a solution that provides treatment options for weight loss and subsequent reduction of type 2 diabetes mellitus,” observed Dr. Daniel Einhorn, an endocrinologist and principal investigator at Scripps La Jolla (CA, USA).





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