CHELMSFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 18, 2019--ZOLL ® Medical Corporation, an Asahi Kasei Group Company that manufactures medical devices and related software solutions, today announced it has acquired TherOx, Inc., of Irvine, Calif., a privately held company. TherOx is focused on improving treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and markets systems to deliver SuperSaturated Oxygen (SSO 2 ) Therapy.
SSO 2 Therapy, which was recently approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA), 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."
"SSO 2 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, SSO 2 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 SSO 2 Therapy is delivered following PCI and stenting, there is no disruption of today’s workflow in the cath lab.”
About SSO2Therapy
A heart attack is typically caused when oxygenated blood flow to the heart is blocked or reduced. Most often, the heart’s tiny capillaries then swell, further restricting blood flow. If not quickly restored, irreversible damage to the heart muscle, or infarction, will occur. Immediately after the coronary artery has been opened by PCI, SSO 2 Therapy delivers a one-time, 60-minute infusion of the patient’s super oxygenated blood to the targeted ischemic area of the heart through a small catheter. SSO 2 Therapy infuses super oxygenated blood to improve microvascular flow, then restores heart tissue to normal oxygen level. 2,3. SSO 2 Therapy is aligned with current guidelines for interventional cardiology procedures.
About TherOx, Inc.
TherOx is focused on commercializing SSO 2 Therapy for the sizeable AMI patient population to save hearts, improving and ultimately saving lives. This first-of-its-kind device treats the most serious heart attack patients who suffer from acute myocardial infarction without interrupting door-to-balloon time. TherOx technology provides highly oxygenated fluids directly to the damaged area of the heart using a catheter placed after PCI and stenting. Clinical trials show consistent benefit to the patient, as relevant to the standard of care, and a reduction in infarct size of 26%. 1 For more information about TherOx, visit www.therox.com.
About ZOLL Medical Corporation
ZOLL Medical Corporation, an Asahi Kasei Group company, develops and markets medical devices and software solutions that help advance emergency care and save lives, while increasing clinical and operational efficiencies. With products for defibrillation and monitoring, circulation and CPR feedback, data management, fluid resuscitation, therapeutic temperature management, and ventilation, ZOLL provides a comprehensive set of technologies that help clinicians, EMS and fire professionals, and lay rescuers treat victims needing resusc