Valcare Medical Inc. has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to initiate an Early Feasibility Study (EFS) for its AMEND™ Trans-Septal System, the company announced on March 13, 2025. The approval grants an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) application for the novel transcatheter-based mitral valve therapy.
The AMEND™ Trans-Septal System represents a significant advancement in the treatment of mitral insufficiency, featuring a semi-rigid, closed, D-shaped annuloplasty ring designed to mimic the current surgical gold standard while offering a less invasive approach.
Study Design and Patient Population
The Early Feasibility Study will evaluate both safety and functionality of the AMEND™ system in patients with symptomatic moderate-to-severe (3+) or severe (4+) functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) who are anatomically suitable for transcatheter mitral annuloplasty. The trial will enroll up to 15 subjects across seven investigational centers in the United States, with patient treatments expected to begin in the first half of 2025.
This initial study is intended to lay the groundwork for a pivotal study anticipated in 2027, which would be a critical step toward eventual Pre-Market Approval in the United States.
Comprehensive Endpoint Assessment
The study's primary and secondary endpoints focus on both technical performance and patient outcomes. Key safety and device performance assessments include technical success of ring delivery, implantation, and delivery system retrieval.
Patient outcomes to be monitored include stroke, myocardial infarction, non-elective cardiovascular surgery for device-related complications, and all-cause mortality at 30 days and 6 months post-implantation.
Additional secondary endpoints will track changes in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, 6-Minute-Walk-Test results, and quality of life measurements at 30 days and 6 months. The study will also assess reduction of mitral regurgitation grade from baseline by at least one grade at 30 days, 6 months, and 1 year.
Expert Perspectives
Dr. Scott Lim, AMEND EFS Study Chairman and Professor of Medicine & Pediatrics at the University of British Columbia, as well as Professor Emeritus with Tenure at the University of Virginia, expressed enthusiasm about the technology's potential.
"I am pleased and eager to begin the AMEND™ Trans-Septal System EFS to further evaluate this promising novel technology," stated Dr. Lim. "The AMEND™ annuloplasty ring has the potential to improve mitral repair for a patient population that are considered poor candidates for currently available therapies. Furthermore, the AMEND System provides a non-invasive approach to the gold standard surgical repair, and I am excited for its potential to treat patients suffering from severe mitral regurgitation."
Clinical Significance and Market Impact
Mitral regurgitation represents a significant clinical challenge, with surgical intervention often posing substantial risks, particularly for elderly or frail patients. The AMEND™ system aims to address this unmet need by providing a transcatheter approach that could potentially reduce procedural risks while maintaining efficacy comparable to surgical standards.
Steve Sandweg, President and Chief Executive Officer for Valcare Medical, highlighted the significance of this regulatory milestone: "The FDA's approval to begin the AMEND EFS is a critical milestone for Valcare Medical on the path to achieving eventual Pre-Market Approval in the United States. This study will build upon clinical data from the AMEND First-in-Human Study, which will be presented as a Late Breaker Clinical Trial during this year's CRT Conference in Washington DC next month."
Advancing Minimally Invasive Cardiac Care
Valcare Medical's mission centers on transforming mitral valve therapy through advanced, minimally invasive solutions. The company aims to eliminate the need for open-heart surgery in patients with severe mitral regurgitation, potentially improving quality of life and increasing life expectancy by offering alternatives to traditional surgical approaches.
The AMEND™ Trans-Septal System remains an investigational device, limited by U.S. federal law for investigational use only, and is not currently available for sale or commercial distribution. The upcoming presentation of First-in-Human Study results at the CRT Conference will provide the medical community with initial clinical insights into this promising technology.
