France-based medical solutions specialist Vygon has signed an exclusive agreement with Carmat, a French medtech company that produces the Aeson artificial heart.
The collaboration will see Vygon adapt its existing polythese vascular graft to make it compatible with the outflow tract of the Aeson device, as well as develop two prosthetic outflow tracts to connect the artificial heart to the patient’s pulmonary arteries and aorta.
The Aeson heart is the world’s first implantable, bioprosthetic artificial heart that is highly haemo-compatible, pulsatile and self-regulated, with a shape close to that of a human heart.
It is designed to replace the ventricles of the heart in patients suffering advanced heart failure and once connected, is designed to replicate the action of a normal heart, restoring normal blood flow to the body.
The device is designed for patients on the waiting list for a heart transplant, offering patients quality of life and mobility via its ergonomic and portable external power supply system, which is permanently connected to the implanted prosthesis.
“We are honoured that Carmat has chosen us to develop this new vascular graft, the first of its kind in the world,” said Vygon CEO Ludovic Richard-Vitton.
“Carmat is a shining example of French medical innovation and has created a device with real life-saving potential. As fellow medtech specialists, we are proud to join forces with this groundbreaking company.”
Vygon global director Guillaume Puppinck said: "This partnership with Carmat will enable us to showcase one of the leading products from our cardiovascular & surgery catalogue.
“We’re excited to use our expertise to adapt our graft to Carmat’s requirements and play our part in developing a treatment solution for patients waiting for heart transplants.”
According to a report by GlobalData, the mechanical circulatory support devices market size was valued at $1.19bn in 2022. The global prevalence of heart failure is more than 37.5 million, driven largely by the ageing population. The number of hearts available for transplant is declining globally, which is further expected to cause the market to grow.
