LONDON, October 15, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Elemental Healthcare, a leading medical devices company that specialises in providing products for non-surgical treatments, today announced the UK launch of the EndoBarrier(TM) Gastrointestinal Liner. EndoBarrier has been designed for people who struggle with the management of Type 2 diabetes, of which over 2.5 million[i] people suffer in the UK, and those who are also clinically obese. The introduction of EndoBarrier could have significant implications on the current burden of diabetes and obesity care in the UK[ii]. Recently reported clinical data on the EndoBarrier shows cardiovascular and metabolic improvements as well as significant weight loss following 12 months of therapy.[iii]

The EndoBarrier is suitable for patients who have Type 2 diabetes with a BMI of 30-50. It is initially being offered to private patients at St Anthony's Hospital in Surrey and is hoped to become available on the NHS in due course, following trials at three NHS hospitals[iv].

Clinical trials, involving more than 300 patients to date, have demonstrated significant diabetes improvement and weight loss with the EndoBarrier, when combined with certain diet and lifestyle modifications. In a 12-month study[v], patients fitted with the EndoBarrier, achieved weight loss of more than 20.0 percent of their total body weight (average loss 22kg / 3.5 stone) and amongst patients with Type 2 diabetes, EndoBarrier was able to reduce blood sugar levels, halting the increase of HbA1c levels seen in diabetes and potentially reduced the need for medications to control the disease. The EndoBarrier procedure is quick, incisionless and reversible, and many patients often go home the day of the procedure. In recent clinical trials, there have been no serious adverse events.

Mr. Alberic Fiennes, Consultant Bariatric Surgeon at St. Anthony's Hospital in Surrey said: This new procedure is pioneering in that it works as a metabolic regulator directly treating Type 2 diabetes and associated weight-gain, giving patients a chance to drastically improve their condition. I was excited when I first heard about EndoBarrier and impressed at the results produced by clinical studies that showed that as early as the first week post procedure, patients can experience a significant effect on their diabetes.

Adam Power, Director of Elemental Healthcare, who is launching the non-surgical therapy into the UK in an exclusive partnership with GI Dynamics, the US company responsible for the design of EndoBarrier said: To halt the rapid growth of Type 2 diabetes and obesity in the UK represents a daunting challenge. We believe EndoBarrier provides an innovative approach in addressing these serious metabolic conditions and could help meet this challenge. It represents an exciting next step in the way Type 2 diabetes is managed.

About the EndoBarrier(TM) Gastrointestinal Liner

The EndoBarrier was invented and developed by GI Dynamics of Lexington, Massachusetts, U.S. A non-surgical therapeutic device that is placed in the GI tract endoscopically (via the mouth) to create a barrier between food and the wall of the intestine. It is speculated that this delays digestion which alters the activation of hormonal signalling, thus mimicking the effect of the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass[vi] procedure without surgery. The EndoBarrier remains positioned in the GI tract for a period of up to 12 months until it is removed, again through the mouth, during which time the patient will have experienced improvements to their diabetes and weight, often removing the need for pharmaceutical intervention to manage their condition.

A growing body of preclinical and clinical evidence supports the potential for EndoBarrier to change the treatment landscape for people living with one or more of the following conditions: type 2 diabetes, obesity and at risk for type 2 diabetes, and severe weight problems.

If you are interested in taking part in one of the NHS trials please email: patients@EBstudy.co.uk or call freephone 0800-096-2418.

For more information about EndoBarrier or to enquire about a private practice please visit: http://www.endodiabetes.net

Notes to Editors:

Mr. Alberic Fiennes

Alberic Fiennes trained at St. Bart's Hospital, London and qualified in 1976. He is currently President of the British Obesity Metabolic Surgery Society (BOMSS) and is Consultant General and Bariatric Surgeon at St. Anthony's Hospital, North Cheam, Surrey. He has been active in bariatric surgery, both keyhole and open since 1995 and has undertaken over a thousand procedures, training many fellow bariatric surgeons. He will be one of the first surgeons in the UK to perform the EndoBarrier procedure.

Elemental Healthcare

Elemental Healthcare Ltd is a leading medical device company providing innovative solutions in minimally invasive surgery. Working with market leading companies Elemental Healthcare Ltd has brought together a unique and exciting portfolio. For more information visit http://www.elementalhealthcare.co.uk

St Anthony's Hospital

St. Anthony's will be one of the first hospitals in the UK to conduct the EndoBarrier procedure. Mr Alberic Fiennes will conduct the procedure. St Anthony's is a large private hospital close to Sutton and Epsom, on the borders of Surrey and South London, providing very high quality healthcare in a calm and peaceful environment. For more information visit http://www.stanthonys.org.uk

---------------------------------

[i] Source: Diabetes UK - 2010 statistics. Most of the 2.6 million people with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes.

[ii] Source: It is estimated that 10% of NHS budgets are spent on diabetes care (http://www.diabetes.co.uk/nhs/) and it is estimated that the cost to the NHS in England of obesity in 1.5% and growing all the time (http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200304/cmselect/c...)

[iii] Source: Obese Patients Achieved Mean Weight Loss of 20%; Data Presented at IFSO 2010 World Congress

[iv] Imperial College St. Mary's Hospital, Southampton University Hospital and Trafford General Hospital, Manchester

[v] Source: Obese Patients Achieved Mean Weight Loss of 20%; Data Presented at IFSO 2010 World Congress

[vi] The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the most common gastric bypass surgery performed in the world today.

---------------------------------

(Due to the length of this URL, it may be necessary to copy and paste this hyperlink into your Internet browser's URL address field. Remove the space if one exists.)

SOURCE: Elemental Healthcare

CONTACT: For further information and interviews with spokespeople, pleasecontact: Vicky Stoakes or Karina Aguirre at Indigo Cow on+44(0)1273-773-516 / +44(0)7747-534-519, vicky@indigocow.com /karina@indigocow.com