Zoll Medical Corp has acquired TherOx Inc (Irvine, Calif), whose SuperSaturatedx Oxygen (SSO2) Therapy System was recently approved by the FDA to treat acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients.
SSO2 Therapy 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.”
References
1Stone 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.
