MediBeacon's Transdermal Kidney Function Monitor Receives European CE Mark Certification
Key Insights
MediBeacon (search) has secured CE Mark certification under EU Medical Device Regulation for its TGFR Monitor and Reusable Sensor, enabling potential use in European clinical trials.
The TGFR System uses fluorescent tracer agent Lumitrace (search) (relmapirazin) to assess kidney function transdermally, offering a non-invasive alternative to traditional methods.
The technology is already approved by FDA and China NMPA, with the CE Mark representing a significant regulatory milestone for European market access.
MediBeacon (search) Inc., a medical technology company specializing in fluorescent tracer agents and transdermal detection, has received European Union CE Mark certification under the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) for its TGFR Monitor and TGFR Reusable Sensor. The certification confirms that both Class IIa devices meet the robust safety, quality, and performance standards required under EU MDR 2017/745.
Regulatory Milestone Enables European Clinical Access
"Obtaining the EU CE Mark is a significant milestone for MediBeacon (search)," said Steven Hanley, CEO and Co-Founder of MediBeacon. "As the TGFR System enters the clinic in the U.S. and China, the CE Mark allows for the potential use of the transdermal technology in clinical trials that include European sites. The achievement also underscores our commitment to meeting the highest quality and safety standards."
The TGFR Monitor and TGFR Reusable Sensor, combined with the Lumitrace (search) (relmapirazin) injection and the CE marked TGFR Disposable Ring, comprise the complete TGFR System. This integrated platform enables assessment of kidney function by measuring the clearance rate of the fluorescent agent as it leaves the body, providing a transdermal assessment of Glomerular Filtration Rate (tGFR).
Clinical Validation and Technology Platform
Relmapirazin represents a significant advancement in kidney function assessment technology. The compound is a non-radioactive, non-iodinated, pyrazine-based agent engineered to be inert, highly fluorescent, and possess the clearance properties of a GFR tracer agent. Its unique photophysical characteristics enable fluorescence data collection via a photodetector sensor placed on the skin.
The system's clinical validity has been demonstrated through rigorous testing. In a phase 2 investigational study, measured GFR (mGFR) deduced from Lumitrace (search) matched that of mGFR deduced from iohexol over a range of GFR values, as published in the peer-reviewed article in the October 2024 issue of Kidney International by Dorshow et al.
Technical Specifications and Clinical Impact
The TGFR Reusable Sensor records 2.5 fluorescent readings per second, while the TGFR Monitor displays the average session tGFR reading at the point of care. This real-time capability represents a significant advancement over traditional kidney function assessment methods.
Dr. Lui Forni, a lead intensive care medicine physician at the Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and a global leader in critical care nephrology, emphasized the technology's potential clinical impact: "An accurate, clinically practical, point of care method to assess kidney function could be revolutionary in the development and implementation of future strategies designed to help patients who are at risk of renal complications. I look forward to including transdermal GFR in my clinical research in Europe later this year."
Regulatory Status and Market Position
The TGFR System, including Lumitrace (search), is already approved for human use by the U.S. FDA and the China NMPA. In January 2025, the FDA granted approval to the MediBeacon (search) TGFR system for evaluating kidney function in individuals with normal or impaired renal function. Submission of Lumitrace (relmapirazin) injection to EU regulatory authorities is pending.
MediBeacon (search)'s intellectual property portfolio includes over 55 granted U.S. patents and over 250 granted patents worldwide, providing extensive coverage of the TGFR System components, including Lumitrace (search) injection, sensor technology, algorithms, and other strategic applications of its proprietary pyrazine platform.
Expanding Clinical Applications
Beyond kidney function assessment, MediBeacon (search) is advancing potential technology applications in gastroenterology, ophthalmology, and surgery through various stages of clinical development. The company operates from its headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, with additional operations in Mannheim, Germany, positioning it strategically for both U.S. and European market development.