January 28, 2009 - SurModics Inc. and Nexeon MedSystems Inc. this week signed a licensing agreement to collaborate on development of a novel stent system for the treatment of renal artery disease.
This agreement is in addition to the prior one announced in July 2007 to develop a novel stent system for coronary artery disease, which is now in clinical trials. SurModics is also an equity investor in Nexeon MedSystems.
This novel stent system for the renal arteries will incorporate SurModics' proprietary Finale Prohealing Coating technology and Nexeon’s bare metal KODIAK peripheral stent technology. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Atherosclerotic renal artery disease is the most common reversible cause of secondary hypertension, affecting over 2.5 million people in the U.S. The condition can also cause atrophy of the affected kidney and even kidney failure.
Studies have shown that correction of renal artery stenosis with a stent can improve blood pressure and prevent further decline in renal function. This less invasive treatment has replaced renal bypass surgery at many institutions. However, one of the limitations of current renal stent technology is the potential for scar tissue to grow through the device and cause recalcitrant recurrence (restenosis). The solution for this problem has remained elusive.
SurModics’ Finale Prohealing Coating technology utilizes a thin layer of natural coating designed to promote rapid population of normal vessel-lining cells (endothelialization) rather than scar tissue, resulting in a healthy, functional artery.
Nexeon’s proprietary Inversion Point technology is the foundation of the company’s stent families. When applied to cobalt alloys, Inversion Point technology allows stents with dramatically lower profiles without sacrificing other important front-line stent characteristics such as radial strength, vessel coverage, and visibility.
For more information: www.surmodics.com, www.nexeonmedsystems.com
April 17, 2024 
