St Jude Medical and Spinal Modulation have announced that they have entered into a series of agreements under which St Jude Medical has the exclusive option to distribute Spinal Modulation’s Axium neurostimulator system. Additionally, St Jude Medical now has the exclusive option to acquire Spinal Modulation for up to US$300 million plus certain revenue-based milestones following US commercialisation.
The Axium neurostimulator system delivers a form of spinal cord stimulation targeting the dorsal root ganglion. According to a company press release, unlike traditional spinal cord stimulation that work by placing leads along the dorsal column, the Axium system leads are placed at the dorsal root ganglion and provide targeted stimulation to areas that are typically hard to treat—including the lower leg, foot and groin—and uses approximately 95% less power than traditional spinal cord stimulation therapy. The press release added that there is a growing body of clinical evidence, including numerous peer-reviewed publications, substantiating the scientific approach of this treatment.
“St Jude Medical is excited to partner with Spinal Modulation and add the unique and complementary Axium neurostimulator system to our existing neuromodulation portfolio,” said Eric S Fain, president of the St Jude Medical Implantable Electronic Systems Division. “This investment in our neuromodulation business further demonstrates St Jude Medical’s commitment to transforming the treatment of debilitating conditions, including chronic pain, which impacts about 10 to 13% of the adult population and carries an economic burden of billions of dollars annually.”
The Axium neurostimulator system received CE mark approval in November 2011 for the management of chronic, intractable pain. The system is not approved for use in the USA.
