On June 30, 2021, Venus Medtech (Hangzhou) Inc. ("Venus Medtech", 2500.HK), the leader in transcatheter structural heart valvular therapies in China, announced the formation of Renaly Ltd. ("Renaly"), a joint venture with Healium Medical Ltd. ("Healium"), to introduce next-generation innovative renal denervation (RDN) devices and promote the global development, manufacturing, and commercialization of RDN products. Healium is an Israel-based high-tech company dedicated to researching and developing the therapeutic and imaging capabilities of ultrasound energy. Venus Medtech will be a controlling shareholder of Renaly.

Despite the availability of a few safe and effective antihypertensive drugs, the overall rate of well-controlled hypertension is disappointing. In particular, resistant hypertension is poorly controlled with medications. Patients with resistant hypertension tend to benefit the most from RDN treatment. At the same time, RDN provides an alternative for hypertensive patients with a poor compliance with oral drugs. The principle of RDN for the treatment of hypertension is to ablate sympathetic nerves in the walls of renal arteries and disrupt nerve signaling to lower blood pressure. Clinical studies have demonstrated the significant safety and efficacy of RDN therapy in the treatment of uncontrolled or resistant hypertension.

Healium focuses on researching and developing the therapeutic and imaging capabilities of ultrasound energy. Its unique dual-mode ultrasound technology (DUMT) enables non-contact, continuous ablation therapy with real-time tissue monitoring. DMUT delivers precise and efficient ablation while significantly reducing problems such as inadequate nerve ablation or vascular damage due to uncontrollable ablation, shifting the treatment paradigm to more predictable outcomes and simplifies the procedure flow to ultimately improve the safety and efficacy of ablation procedures.

As one of the most common chronic diseases in the world, hypertension affects about one third of adults worldwide [1]. China has more than 330 million hypertensive patients, ranking first in the world. The results of the China Hypertension Survey show that the prevalence of hypertension in adults aged 18 and above is 27.9%, with an overall increasing trend. In addition, about 50% of cardiovascular morbidity and 20% of cardiovascular mortality in China are attributed to hypertension. Hypertension is an independent risk factor affecting the occurrence and prognosis of cardiovascular events. Effective control of hypertension can prevent or postpone complications such as stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and renal insufficiency, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease [2].

Eric Zi, Founder, Chief Executive Director and General Manager of Venus Medtech said, "Hypertension is closely related to the occurrence and development of heart valve disease. This collaboration is expected to significantly expand the company's product layout. Given our track record in the R&D, manufacturing, and commercialization of structural heart devices, RDN products will form a strong combination with our existing product pipelines and advance clinical studies and regulatory acceptance in China and globally. This will enable us to better meet clinical needs and bring innovative products and services to doctors and patients worldwide."

Ran Sela, CEO and co-founder of Healium said, "Hypertension is one of the major cardiovascular risk factors. This partnership will allow us to join hands with Venus Medtech to develop transcatheter ultrasonic ablation solutions. At Healium, we strive to provide better treatment options for hypertensive patients worldwide."

 

About Venus Medtech

Founded in 2009, Venus Medtech possesses a comprehensive product layout in the field of structural heart disease treatment and provides integrated solutions encompassing "cerebral embolic protection-valvuloplasty balloon -heart valve". Our in-house developed innovative valve products have established a global presence in nearly 30 countries and regions, covering Asia, Europe, South America and North America. Committed to developing and commercializing structural heart devices, Venus Medtech will make continuous efforts to bring safer and more effective clinical solutions.

About Healium Medical

Healium Medical is a private ultrasound therapy company founded in 2017 and headquartered in Israel. It is committed to utilize the therapeutic and imaging capabilities of ultrasound energy for the treatment of atrial fibrillation and other diseases. The company's dual-mode ultrasound technology (DMUT) enables non-contact, continuous ablation therapy with real-time tissue monitoring. DMUT delivers precise ultrasonic energy for safe and rapid lesion placement via transcatheter ultrasound technology and advanced signal and image processing. The technology shifts the treatment paradigm to more predictable outcomes and simplifies the procedure flow to ultimately improve the safety and efficacy of ablation procedures.

References

[1] World Health Organization Report: A global brief on hypertension – silent killer, global public health crisis.

[2] Chinese Circulation Journal, September 2020, Vol. 35 No. 9 (Serial No. 267).