LAGUNA HILLS, Calif., May 1, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Vessix Vascular, Inc., a developer of novel percutaneous radiofrequency (RF) balloon catheter technology for the treatment of hypertension, announced today that it has received Conformite Europeenne (CE) Mark approval for its V2 Renal Denervation System™ for the treatment of hypertension. Renal denervation is a percutaneous, catheter-based therapy that uses RF energy to disrupt renal sympathetic nerves whose hyperactivity leads to uncontrolled high blood pressure. 

The CE Mark enables Vessix to market its patented V2 System throughout the European Union. The CE certification was issued to Vessix by its notified body, BSI Group, also known as the British Standards Institution.

"Vessix offers a unique approach to treating uncontrolled hypertension that provides excellent clinical results and is faster, easier to use and less painful for patients than any renal denervation system currently available in the market," said CEO Raymond W. Cohen. "After eight years optimizing RF balloon catheter and bipolar RF generator technologies, it is rewarding to see the V2 System working effectively in clinical practice to safely reduce patient blood pressures. As part of our commercialization strategy, Vessix has initiated a post-market approval surveillance study during which we plan to treat 120 patients at up to 20 international centers located across Western Europe."

Hypertension is the leading attributable cause of death worldwide. According to the American Heart Association, a 5 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) reduction in systolic blood pressure results in a 14 percent decrease in stroke, a 9 percent decrease in heart disease and a 7 percent decrease in overall mortality. Renal denervation has shown in published clinical studies to be safe, durable and effective in reducing systolic blood pressure by approximately 20 percent.

Michael D. Gioffredi, Vessix's Chief Commercialization Officer said, "Renal denervation is rapidly becoming one of the most important medical device developments in decades and we believe that our unique design will set a new standard for the treatment.  In light of this regulatory clearance and the strong early clinical results from our multi-center European pilot study, we are moving forward with our commercialization plans in Europe and we look forward to sharing additional pre-clinical and human data at upcoming medical conferences in support of that launch."

Vessix to Present Initial Clinical Study Results at EuroPCR Conference in ParisMay 15-18

Vessix will present interim clinical results from its pilot REDUCE-HTN clinical study for patients with uncontrolled hypertension at EuroPCR 2012.

Professor Uta Hoppe, M.D., of Paracelsus Medical University in Salzburg, Austria, will present one-month post-treatment safety and efficacy data from her patients treated at Paracelsus and additional patients treated at Georges Pompidou Hospital in Paris, France and OLV Ziekenhuis in Aalst, Belgium. The presentation will be made during the "Emerging Interventional Technologies for Treatment of Resistant Hypertension" at 8:00 - 10:20 a.m. local time on Thursday, May 17 in Room 241 at the Palais des Congres de Paris.

Find Vessix at EuroPCR 2012

Vessix will be exhibiting its V2 Renal Denervation System in booth M72.

Vessix CEO Raymond W. Cohen will also present at the Cardiovascular Innovation Pipeline on Renal Denervation to be held on Wednesday, May 16 at 15:00 local time in Room 351.

About the Market for Renal Denervation

Industry analysts suggest that there are more than 12 million patients worldwide whose blood pressure remains uncontrolled despite taking three or more anti-hypertensive medications representing a global market opportunity for renal denervation that could ultimately grow to $30 billion.

About the Vessix V2 Renal Denervation System

• The V2 System for the treatment of uncontrolled hypertension is an over-the-wire balloon catheter with an array of RF electrodes mounted in a precise pattern designed to deliver a modest dose of RF energy to disrupt the renal nerves located in the adventitia that surround the renal artery. The patented RF balloon catheter connects to a proprietary bipolar RF generator specifically designed and optimized for the renal denervation clinical application.
• Therapy is delivered via a balloon catheter that is quite familiar to interventional cardiologists and other physicians, thereby increasing the usability and safety profile of the device.
• The V2 balloon catheter occludes blood flow to the renal artery during the 30-second RF therapy delivery allowing for a directed and highly controlled flow of heat energy to the target nerves. Consequently, the V2 is significantly faster – by an order of magnitude – than other renal denervation systems currently marketed.
• Rapid RF treatment time greatly increases the efficiency of the denervation procedure and additional safety benefits to the clinician conducting the procedure and the patient in terms of less use of contrast dye and lower exposure to radiation.

About Vessix Vascular, Inc.

Founded in 2003, Vessix is a private company developing novel RF balloon catheter and bipolar RF generator technology. The Company is backed by world-class European and U.S. venture capital firms including NeoMed Management, Edmond de Rothschild Investment Partners and OrbiMed Advisors LLC. For more information on Vessix Vascular, please visit the Company's website at www.vessixvascular.com or contact Matt Clawson at Allen & Caron Inc at +1-949-474-4300 or via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

SOURCE Vessix Vascular, Inc.

...