SeaStar Medical, a medical technology company, has announced that its Selective Cytopheretic Device (SCD) has received a Breakthrough Device Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The SCD is designed to treat acute kidney injury (AKI) in adults by targeting the cellular mediators of systemic inflammation, specifically activated neutrophils and monocytes, which can lead to organ damage or failure if not controlled.
The Breakthrough Device Designation is expected to accelerate the regulatory review process for SeaStar Medical's upcoming pivotal clinical trial. Eric Schlorff, President and CEO of SeaStar Medical, highlighted the potential of the SCD to address a significant unmet clinical need in managing AKI, citing clinical data that shows a reduction in mortality and dialysis dependency among critically ill patients.
Acute kidney injury is associated with substantial hospitalization costs, estimated between $5.4 and $24.0 billion annually in the United States. SeaStar Medical anticipates a multi-billion dollar initial target market for the SCD in the U.S., with potential applications in treating acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), and other conditions.
The SCD technology represents a novel approach to immunomodulation, aiming to restore immune balance and potentially reverse organ damage caused by hyperinflammation. This development marks a significant step forward in the treatment of AKI and related conditions, offering hope for improved outcomes for critically ill patients.
