With the approval, the company is planning to launch the system in selected centers in several European countries.

The company is also working with several European countries distributors to identify interventional gastroenterologists and surgeons to participate in the initial phase of the European launch.

The endoscopic surgical platform, which combines the flexibility of endoscopy with the precision of surgical suturing, allows clinicians to access, manipulate and suture internal tissue without making incisions through the skin, while treating defects in the digestive tract, gastrointestinal cancer and bariatrics.

Evangelisches Krankenhause Düsseldorf internal medicine professor Dr Horst Neuhaus said the new platform also offers advantages over open and laparoscopic surgery including lower risk of infection, less post-operative pain, faster recovery time and no visible scars.

"The OverStitch endoscopic suturing system allows clinicians to access, manipulate and suture internal tissue without making incisions through the skin, while treating defects in the digestive tract, gastrointestinal cancer and bariatrics," Neuhaus added.

"With this new endoscopic suturing platform, trained physicians can safely perform many procedures endoscopically, from inside, that previously would have required a more traditional surgical approach."

Apollo Endosurgery president and CEO Dennis McWilliams said, "Apollo Endosurgery will continue to strive towards maintaining its leadership position as an innovator and a driving force in advancing this new class of less invasive therapies."