Natick Massachusetts–based Allurion develops a gastric balloon for weight loss. The swallowable balloon requires no surgery, endoscopy or anesthesia. Once swallowed, the balloon fills and remains in the stomach for approximately four months before self-emptying and passing out naturally.
Allurion announced three presentations at the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Annual Meeting (ASMBS).
Data from one study looked at 121 patients treated across 11 obesity centers with two consecutive, four-month Allurion balloons. Results showed that patients achieved 22.1% weight loss on average at one year. In comparison, studies showed that patients treated with 12-month endoscopic intragastric balloons achieved 15.4% and 16.2% total body weight loss.
“We believe these findings underscore the potential of the Allurion Balloon to deliver superior outcomes to other intragastric balloons, approaching those of weight loss surgery, for patients seeking effective and safe weight loss solutions,” said Dr. Shantanu Gaur, founder and CEO of Allurion.
Multiple studies also delivered evidence indicating a lower intolerance rate for Allurion’s balloon compared to 12-month endoscopic balloons. The company touts its procedureless, liquid-filled balloon’s overall serious adverse event rate that comes in 10 times less than other liquid-filled balloons on average.
The company also intends to share data from a study analyzing 1,313 conversations from patients with Coach Iris, its AI-powered weight loss coach. Investigators looked at the safety, accuracy and overall quality of a beta version released in 2023. Iris delivered satisfaction scores of 84% for fidelity, 79% on accuracy, 89% on safety and 95% on tone.
Allurion’s latest data marks another positive step for the company, which partnered with Medtronic on the AI-powered platform midway through last year. In April of this year, the company closed a $48 million financing to further advance its technology.
