Obesity and diabetes device maker GI Dynamics (ASX:GID) announced the launch of its EndoBarrier gastrointestinal liner in Austria and the establishment of two "Centers of Excellence" to implant the device.
The Barmherzige Brüder Hospital and the Hallein Clinic are the first centers established in Austria by the Lexington, Mass.-based company, both known for their treatment of metabolic disorders, according to a press release. A hospital is certified as an EndoBarrier center following a training and proctorship program in Type II diabetes and obesity management by GI Dynamics and field experts.
"There is an urgent need for less invasive, yet effective treatments for Type II diabetes and obesity," said Helmut Weiss, head of general surgery at Barmherzige Brüder Hospital in prepared remarks. "The EndoBarrier has the potential to assist many Austrians living with Type II diabetes and obesity control their diabetes and lose weight."
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GI Dynamics’ device is a plastic sleeve inserted endoscopically into the small intestine, where it slows the uptake of nutrients from food to induce weight loss and help control the symptoms of diabetes.
A series of clinical studies in 2009 showed that patients treated with the EndoBarrier reduced their average blood glucose levels, lowered other diabetic factors including fasting blood glucose and weight and helped morbidly obese patients lose significant amounts of weight.
The EndoBarrier is currently available in Chile, Europe and more recently in Australia. GI Dynamics received an investigational device exemption approval to commence a pilot trial in the U.S.
GI Dynamics made its début on the Australian Securities exchange earlier this month, opening at $1.07 but falling 13 percent on the first day.