Paragonix Technologies, a pioneer in organ transplant technologies, announced today that five of its organ preservation devices have received approval under the European Union Medical Device Regulation 2017/745 (EU MDR). This regulatory milestone allows the company to maintain and expand its access to European markets under the new, more stringent EU regulations that replace the former Medical Device Directive 93/42/EEC.
The approval encompasses five specialized organ preservation and transport systems: the Paragonix SherpaPak for heart preservation, BAROguard and LUNGguard for lung preservation, PancreasPak for pancreas preservation, and LIVERguard for liver preservation. Each device is engineered to enhance the safety, viability, and efficiency of donor organ transport.
"Receiving this approval marks a significant milestone for Paragonix and Getinge, reinforcing our commitment to delivering innovative and regulatory-compliant medical devices," said Dr. Lisa Anderson, President of Paragonix Technologies. "This achievement validates our technology's safety and effectiveness while expanding our ability to serve patients and healthcare providers in critical transplant care across the world."
Clinical Impact and Global Reach
Paragonix's organ preservation devices have been FDA cleared and used in over 10,000 transplant cases globally since the introduction of the Paragonix SherpaPak Cardiac Transport System in 2018. The SherpaPak and LUNGguard systems are currently utilized at more than 40 transplant centers in the EU under previous CE-Mark status and at over 150 transplant centers worldwide.
Multiple clinical studies have demonstrated significant benefits of these advanced preservation technologies. Research published in the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation has shown that Paragonix cardiothoracic devices reduce post-transplant complications while safely extending ischemic times for both heart and lung transplants.
A 2024 study by D'Alessandro et al. documented improved outcomes following heart transplantation with controlled hypothermic preservation. Similarly, Moayedifar et al. demonstrated better recipient outcomes with extended criteria donors using advanced heart preservation, as analyzed in the GUARDIAN-Heart Registry.
Advancing Organ Preservation Technology
The EU MDR sets rigorous quality standards for medical devices sold in the European Union, with particular emphasis on safety, risk management, and post-market surveillance. The new regulatory framework introduces heightened requirements for market approval compared to its predecessor.
Paragonix's technology represents a significant advancement over traditional ice-based preservation methods. Ceulemans et al. characterized this shift as "leaving the ice age behind" in a 2024 publication in Frontiers Transplant International. Another study by the same researchers documented successful lung transplantation with extended ischemic times exceeding 15 hours using controlled hypothermic storage.
Implications for Transplant Medicine
The ability to safely extend preservation times has profound implications for organ transplantation. Longer viable transport windows potentially allow transplant centers greater access to donor organs across wider geographic areas, giving more patients opportunities for life-saving transplants.
By reinventing the standard of care through advanced technology, Paragonix is creating new possibilities in organ transplantation worldwide. The company's devices provide unprecedented physical and thermal protection to organs during transit, addressing a critical need in transplant medicine.
With the support structure provided by Sweden-based Getinge, Paragonix aims to continue setting new standards in organ preservation. The EU MDR approval solidifies the company's position as a global leader in organ preservation and transplant innovation, furthering its mission to advance the future of transplantation and make a global impact on patient outcomes.
