NORWALK, Conn., June 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Mederi Therapeutics Inc., manufacturers of Stretta Therapy for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), announced the presentation of new data at last week's Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) 2016 in San Diego. This new 10-year data shows efficacy of Stretta in three specific types of non-classical GERD patients: those with high BMI, those with respiratory symptoms of GERD, and those suffering from recurring GERD after anti-reflux surgery. DDW activities also included the launch of the new Stretta RFT3 system, and four presentations by international Stretta expert physicians.
10-Year Data
The data, presented by Dr. Mark Noar (The Heartburn and Reflux Study Center, Towson, MD), examined challenging GERD patient subsets that were included in his published 10-year study, and demonstrated that each of these patient populations achieved the primary outcomes of long-term symptom relief, reduced medication use, and patient satisfaction.
About 30% of adults suffer from chronic GERD. Many of these patients are dissatisfied with the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or are concerned about the risks associated with long-term PPI use. Many wish to avoid invasive surgery. Stretta provides a non-surgical, middle option for this patient.
Introducing – Stretta RFT3 – the RE-Generation
At DDW, Mederi unveiled new aesthetic, functional, and material improvements to further facilitate ease of use and optimize the delivery of the clinically proven Stretta therapy. These improvements include a familiar GI product color scheme, added measurement markings on the Stretta catheter, more visual procedure guides, and software changes to increase treatment automation.
Expert Physician Presentations
Stretta international experts presented updates on Stretta data as well as shared their experience. The speakers included, Dr.Alvaro Reymunde from Ponce, Puerto Rico; Dr. Hwoon-Yong Jung from Seoul, South Korea; Dr. Luca Dughera from Torino Italyand Dr. José de Jesús Herrera from Mexico City, Mexico. Dr. Dughera also reviewed his published 8-year data and presented pending 10-year follow-up. “A large majority of my patients remain symptom free after 10-years, GERD HRQL scores were maintained, and 71% of patients were still off medications,” said Dughera. He also discussed his experience with Mederi's Stretta system. “I was one of the first users and have seen the evolution of Stretta into an extremely user-friendly system. We are now analyzing data on 200 patients who received Mederi's Stretta since 2011. The results appear superior to my published long-term data,” he added.
“Mederi is committed to producing technology that improves quality of care for GERD,” commented Bob Knarr, Chief Executive Officer of Mederi. “While we continue to improve Stretta, emerging data continues to validate this proven procedure and demonstrate its economic advantages. The science and economics of Stretta show continued, lasting benefits, and we look forward to bringing Stretta to more GERD sufferers around the world.”
Bree has been an integral part of Restech from the very beginning. She holds a Masters in Public Health from George Washington University, a BFA from The University of Kansas in Visual Communications, and is a National Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach. Her command of marketing, public health/health delivery systems, and human health behavior change gives her a unique perspective in developing effective marketing strategies for the company.
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Thomas previously worked as a polysomnographic technologist in the Virginia Mason system, before moving into sales with Restech in 2007. After spending 9 years working with distributors across Europe, he was moved into an organizational role at the head office in Houston. In this capacity he works closely with sales and marketing to provide clinical support, manages clinical studies, and provides clinical perspectives on business development. In his spare time Thomas plays rugby for Houston Athletic Rugby Club.
Jeff has over 30 years of experience in the medical device industry and previously worked in sales at companies such as Encision Inc., Interventional Therapies, LLC, Boston Scientific, and United States Surgical Corporation. He has been working as the VP of Sales for Mederi Therapeutics since 2009 and now brings his extensive expertise to Restech. Jeff was part of the team that bridged the Mederi asset sale to Restech. His clinical knowledge of the Stretta and Secca technologies is invaluable. Jeff has three decades of physician relations experience that he brings to Restech as part of the leadership team.
Ray joined Restech in May 2018 as the Vice President for Sales. He has been in the medical device, and specifically in the GERD space for more than 18 years. Starting in sales at Sandhill Scientific pH diagnostics, he moved on to Curon Medical when Stretta and Secca were first introduced to the market. He then worked for Given Imaging when Curon closed operations. When Stretta was relaunced he joined Mederi as VP of Sales. Ray was instrumental in keeping Stretta alive and the customer based informed when Mederi ceased operation and assets were purchased by Restech. He is part of the leadership team directing all product sales for Restech. Ray graduated from Old Dominion University in Norfolk with a BS in Marketing and Business Administration.
Mark is a seasoned professional and Certified Public Accountant in Texas who brings a unique blend of creative vision and financial expertise to any leadership team. He worked as a Senior Executive for 15 years on a leadership team which grew a private equity backed cash logistics company performing at negative EBITDA on $100 million revenue into an international industry leader with superior profitability on revenue exceeding $1.5 billion. In addition, he spent 10 years as a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse delivering results-oriented merger & acquisition, audit and strategic consulting services to middle market clientele including over 40 manufacturing, distribution, service, nonprofit and technology clients. Mark currently serves as a Chief Financial Officer and consulting CFO (seven years) providing in-house and outsourced CFO and transactional services to the middle market.
Larry is the CTO for Restech and holds a B.S. in Computer Science. He is a software architect specializing in remote patient monitoring, medical sensors, and clinical trial software. Larry holds a patent on massively distributed computing and has worked for a number of major software startup companies including Sybase, Oracle, and Teradata. Larry was also the co-founder of a startup to deliver advanced clinical pathways to patients using mobile devices and medical sensors. Larry is truly a pioneer and now a veteran in the deployment.
Jeff has a breadth of experience with over 25 years in engineering and executive positions within major fortune 100 healthcare companies. He also has proven success in startup medical technology companies. Jeff provides leadership in securing and managing Restech’s patent portfolio. He also built Restech’s compliance platform that established regulatory acceptance in 25+ countries worldwide. Jeff’s scientific support and in-depth understanding of the device industry set the foundation for current and future commercial innovations at Restech.
With nearly 30 years of working with physician thought leaders developing novel and emerging technologies, Leo has played a key role in the development and evolution of balloon angioplasty and stent technologies that revolutionized the therapy of cardiac disease. His experience was instrumental in the development of the patented platform technology which drives the Restech sensor. Leo provides a vision and passion for effecting change in the diagnosis and management of atypical reflux.
With over 20 years of executive experience in both the private and public sector, Debra brings a broad understanding of healthcare delivery system. With experience managing products aimed at wide scale disease and population management for 20 million subscribers, Debra has extensive experience in effectively and efficiently developing models of delivery that address specific health issues. Debra has also been involved in the legislative process and served as the elected President of the Independent Physician Association of California. Debra is dedicated to bringing tools to the healthcare market that improve and support the clinical process.