Arizona Technology Enterprises (AzTE), the technology venturing arm of Arizona State University (ASU), has finalised a series of licensing transactions with EndoStim, a St Louis medical device startup, spinning out applications for the neurostimulation technologies developed by an ASU researcher.
EndoStim will use ASU’s platform technologies to further develop implantable micro-electronic devices to aid in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction through local neurostimulation.
EndoStim believes that a significant percentage could benefit from neurostimulation through the micro-electronic devices, replacing drug treatments and invasive surgical procedures that can have side effects and, in some cases, limited efficacy.
EndoStim president and CEO Bevil Hogg said that the patented technology licensed from AzTE will advance their commercial development of highly miniaturised neurostimulators that can be delivered with a minimally invasive procedure in an outpatient setting.
"EndoStim is on a fast-track plan to get into the US clinic an advanced, lower-cost treatment for restoring physiological function through neurostimulation to treat sphincter-related and other disorders," Hogg said.
AzTE managing director Augustine Cheng said that their work with EndoStim demonstrates yet again the real-world impact ASU research has in advancing a new technology.
"Now, with the additional financing, EndoStim will be able to accelerate its commercial translation of ASU technologies into medical products that could benefit hundreds of millions of people in the United States and worldwide," Cheng said.