CHELMSFORD, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ZOLL® Medical Corporation, an Asahi Kasei Group Company that manufactures medical devices and related software solutions, today announced it 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 SuperSaturated Oxygen (SSO2) Therapy.
SSO2 Therapy, which was recently approved by the Federal Drug Administration (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.1 When a large ischemic area of muscle damage remains following AMI, the patient condition often deteriorates into debilitating heart failure.
“ZOLL and TherOx are both focused on emergency cardiac care,” said 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,1 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 said.
“No delay in door-to-balloon times and improved clinical outcomes is a combination we think physicians will find appealing,” Johnston added. “Because SSO2 Therapy is delivered following PCI and stenting, there is no disruption of today’s workflow in the cath lab.”
About SSO2 Therapy
A heart attack is typically caused when oxygenated blood flow to the heart is blocked or reduced. Most often, the heart’s tiny capillaries then swell, further restricting blood flow. If not quickly restored, irreversible damage to the heart muscle, or infarction, will occur. Immediately after the coronary artery has been opened by PCI, SSO2 Therapy delivers 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.2,3. SSO2 Therapy is aligned with current guidelines for interventional cardiology procedures.
About TherOx, Inc.
TherOx is focused on commercializing SSO2 Therapy for the sizeable AMI patient population to save hearts, improving and ultimately saving lives. This first-of-its-kind device treats the most serious heart attack patients who suffer from acute myocardial infarction without interrupting door-to-balloon time. TherOx technology provides highly oxygenated fluids directly to the damaged area of the heart using a catheter placed after PCI and stenting. Clinical trials show consistent benefit to the patient, as relevant to the standard of care, and a reduction in infarct size of 26%.1 For more information about TherOx, visit www.therox.com.
About ZOLL Medical Corporation
ZOLL Medical Corporation, an Asahi Kasei Group company, develops and markets medical devices and software solutions that help advance emergency care and save lives, while increasing clinical and operational efficiencies. With products for defibrillation and monitoring, circulation and CPR feedback, data management, fluid resuscitation, therapeutic temperature management, and ventilation, ZOLL provides a comprehensive set of technologies that help clinicians, EMS and fire professionals, and lay rescuers treat victims needing resuscitation and acute critical care. For more information, visit www.zoll.com.
About Asahi Kasei
The Asahi Kasei Group is a diversified group of companies led by holding company Asahi Kasei Corp., with operations in the material, homes, and health care business sectors. Its health care operations include devices and systems for acute critical care, dialysis, therapeutic apheresis, transfusion, and manufacture of biotherapeutics, as well as pharmaceuticals and diagnostic reagents. With more than 30,000 employees around the world, the Asahi Kasei Group serves customers in more than 100 countries. For more information, visit www.asahi-kasei.co.jp/asahi/en/.
1 Stone GW, et al. Circ Cardiovasc Interv; 2; 366-375. Sep 2009.
2 Spears JR, et al. ASAIO Jour. 2003 Nov-Dec;49(6):716-20.
3 Bartorelli A, et al. Am Jour of Cardio Drugs. 2003. 3(4); 253-263.
Copyright © 2019 ZOLL Medical Corporation. All rights reserved. TherOx and ZOLL are trademarks or registered trademarks of ZOLL Medical Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Asahi Kasei is a registered trademark of Asahi Kasei Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Contacts
Diane Egan
ZOLL Medical Corporation
+1 (978) 421-9637
degan@zoll.com
