Background
PerQtech is involved in the development of novel life saving minimally invasive, interventional cardiology devices that would change the lives of tens of thousands of patients and their families every year. PerQtech's first product is ATAG, an Ascending Thoracic Aortic Graft System - the world's first product developed to address the significant challenges in treating aneurysms and dissection of the ascending aorta.
Problem
Aneurysms and dissections of the ascending thoracic aorta can be caused by high acceleration injury to the heart or by congenital connective tissue disorders which weaken blood vessel walls. Both disease states can result in clot formation, increasing the risk of cerebral embolism and stroke whilst also increasing the risk of vessel wall rupture and catastrophic internal bleeding. Currently, there is no system available that provides a solution to these catastrophic events in the ascending aorta.
Solution
A London based interventional cardiac consultant developed a novel concept for such a device. The ATAG delivery system rides over three guidewires, one central locating wire and a left and right coronary wire, each of which is placed prior to delivery system insertion. The main body of the stent graft is self expanding whereas the coronary branches, sited on projections extending from the main body of the stent graft, are expanded by balloon catheters running over the branch guidewires.
Market Potential
15,000 people die in the US per annum from this condition and the potential US and European market is 30,000 units per annum. The launch price will be $30k-40k per unit. The ATAG system could address an unfulfilled $600m to $1,000 million market. Recent market research indicates the market for ATAG could grow to $2 billion.
Status
NHSIL funded the patenting, prototype development and testing which demonstrated the system's functionality in an anatomical model. Further development funding has been raised and the start-up company, PerQTechTM has been formed with pre-production prototyping, materials and manufacturing currently being put in place. First in Man should be possible in the next 12 months.
Finance Required
A £3 million pound investment is required over two years to finance the R&D and medical team and to cover the remaining pre-clinical work through to first in Man and full scale clinical trials in Europe for CE-marking by 2011.
Business Plan
Please contact David Chilvers, Chief Executive, NHS Innovations London Ltd.
