GI Dynamics touts another positive clinical trial

October 27, 2009 by MassDevice staff

The Lexington, Mass.-based bariatric device maker's EndoBarrier gut liner helped morbidly obese patients in a clinical trail lose weight and control their diabetes.

GI Dynamics touts another positive clinical trial

GI Dynamics is touting another small study demonstrating the effectiveness of its EndoBarrier gut liner in promoting weight loss and helping to control diabetes in morbidly obese patients.

The Lexington, Mass.-based bariatric device maker said the Annals of Surgery published a study of 41 patients, 26 of whom were implanted with the gut liner. Data from the trial showed that mean excess weight loss after 12 weeks was 19 percent for patients implanted with the device, compared with 6.9 percent for the control group that did not receive the EndoBarrier.

The device is a plastic sleeve that lines the small intestine, preventing it from absorbing food.

Of the eight patients with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus implanted with the gut liner, seven showed lower glucose levels and required less medication. Six of the eight diabetics lowered their insulin dosages and/or their oral anti-diabetes medication after one week with the device. After the full 12 weeks, one diabetic stopped taking medicine for the condition altogether.

The latest study follows an earlier, smaller trial of 10 patients implanted with the gut liner and with a flow restrictor at the outlet of the stomach into the small intestine. Data from that study indicated that the combination also helped morbidly obese patients lose weight.