Business OpSens Medical: a promising technology hanging by a thread March 1, 2021 8 min read magictr A high-tech medical firm in Quebec is looking to the future with great optimism thanks to the development of an innovative guidewire for the implantation of heart valves that could create a small “revolution”. The OpSens Mdical “scholarly guide” is developed for TAVI-type operations. These procedures consist of going through an artery in the leg to change the aortic valve of the heart, instead of opening the latter. Effective, TAVI? Mick Jagger, the singer of the legendary Rolling Stones, underwent an operation of this type in April 2019. Two months later, the 75-year-old man was swinging his hips again on the stage! “We do the whole procedure with a single thread which will bring about a certain revolution in the world of TAVI”, launches Louis Laflamme, president and CEO of the company. Photo Stevens LeBlanc Louis Laflamme, President and CEO of OpSens. “Current guidewires have only one property, that of delivering the aortic valve. Ours will also be able to stimulate the heart to prepare it for the operation and measure the pressure inside the heart, which will allow the surgeon to position the valve more easily. If it is poorly positioned, it is less effective, ”analyzes Mr. Laflamme. The latter believes that his product will save money by eliminating the need for other devices and time during interventions. “And we think we will improve safety by giving a better measurement.” World-renowned cardiologist Josep Rods-Cabau, from the Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Qubec (IUCPQ), is enthusiastic about the product he helped develop. “It could facilitate the intervention, because it incorporates a high performance optical sensor that can measure the pressure. So, in addition to facilitating the positioning of the valve, it will give us an immediate idea of the hemodynamic result (pressure) and the possible adjustments to be made. Also, this Quebec innovation will make it possible to replace the use of the temporary cardiostimulator, because we will be able to stimulate the heart cavity directly with the guidewire, ”explains the cardiologist. The company expects its product to be tested in humans this summer at IUCPQ, a world leader in the TAVI technique, and at the Montreal Heart Institute (MHI). She hopes to market it in early 2022. The origin OpSens was founded in 2003 around a then very promising fiber optic sensor, which is used in its new guidewire. “With light, we can measure parameters such as pressure and temperature,” explains Mr. Laflamme of this technology, which opens doors to many applications. The 100% Quebec-based company is divided into two sectors. OpSens Mdical accounts for 90% of turnover. The other branch, OpSens Solutions, is looking for opportunities for the sensor in non-medical fields. If it does not, for the moment, have the stature of its big sister, this branch nevertheless has very real potential in the eyes of the managers of the company. On February 8, OpSens Solutions was awarded a contract for the revolutionary international thermonuclear experimental reactor ITER, a project that brings together 35 countries. Alliances At the very beginning of the adventure, OpSens developed partnerships to sell its optical sensor. “We sold our technology to medical companies who incorporated it into their products. It was interesting to start working with a partner. It also simplified regulatory obligations, ”says the CEO. For example, the American company Abiomed used the pressure sensor in a heart pump, and Monteris, the temperature technology to burn tissue in the brain. “We said to ourselves that we could do more,” continues Mr. Laflamme. We met a cardiologist from the IUCPQ who put us on the trail of the FFR (Fractional Flow Reserve) which is a pressure measurement to assess the impact on health of a blockage of an artery. Previously, doctors used imaging to find blockages and decide to install a guardian. A study then showed that the best way to assess the situation was to measure the pressure before and after the blockage. ” This is how the OptoWire marketed in 2015 was born, developed thanks to the collaboration of Dr Olivier Bertrand from IUCPQ. The optical wire measures the pressure difference on both sides of an artery blockage. Below a certain value (ratio of 0.8), a guardian must be installed. But beyond that, it is better not to intervene. Another advantage over its competitors, the OptoWire can also be “disconnected”, which, for example, allows it to be used for another intervention after the installation of a tutor. The product is sold in Japan, Europe and North America. “Japan values having the best technology in their hands,” says Laflamme proudly. OpSens estimates that the product has, to date, treated more than 100,000 patients. Compatibility The OptoWire works in conjunction with a monitor that displays data. Currently, approximately 2,000 of these monitors are found in operating theaters around the world. A software update will make it possible to use the monitors in place, both with the OptoWire and with the new guidewire for TAVI. This is an undeniable advantage, according to Mr. Laflamme. Not only will company representatives have two products to offer, but he believes that the compatibility of the monitors will further penetrate the US market where “purchasing groups are heavy.” “With the scholarly guidewire, we capitalize on the two elements of the puzzle. We need good pressure measurement technology, we have the best in the world, and we already have 2,000 monitors in operating theaters, ”says Louis Laflamme. Obviously, OpSens has competitors in the field of cardiology. “Competing technologies measure electrical resistance. It is extremely sensitive and it is not precise. OptoWire has displaced competitors because our product is better, ”says Mr. Laflamme, who believes that for TAVI operations, his next guide has no real competitor at the moment. The new guidewire, whose name has not yet been released, has benefited from the advice of cardiology specialists around the world for its development. Among them, in addition to the Dr Josep Rods-Cabau, we notice the names of Dr Rda Ibrahim, ICM, and Dr Philippe Gnreux, a Quebecer now working at the Morristown Medical Center in New Jersey. “Among other things, I made suggestions on the optimal stiffness of the guidewire to be achieved as well as on the shape required for the distal atraumatic loop. [l’extrmit en tire-bouchon qui sert ne pas perforer le cur lors de la procdure]. I also worked in cooperation with the OpSens team and the IUCPQ laboratory to evaluate and optimize various prototypes converging on the final design which will be used in humans shortly ”, explains Dr.r Rods-Cabau. Significant investments OptoWire accounted for 19 of the company’s $ 29 million in revenue last year. Sales to partners amounted to $ 8 million. OpSens closed on Thursday a round of funding of $ 28.75 million that will allow it to develop new products and improve its marketing. “The financiers approached us and took responsibility on their side. The appetite for what we do is really higher, ”says the CEO of OpSens, which is listed on the TSX. “Since the beginning, we have raised $ 40 to $ 50 million in funding,” he continues. These are sums that we spend in Quebec and 80 to 90% of our income comes from abroad. ” Louis Laflamme is convinced that his company benefits from being located in Quebec. Photo Stevens LeBlanc The OpSens building in the Technological Park of Metropolitan Quebec. “In Quebec, we are ingenious, we have nothing to envy in terms of innovations. We are also lucky to be next to Laval University, which generates talent. We need resources in optics, mechanics, electronics, programming and production. Quebec is a great place for companies like us. The cost environment is reasonable and there are tax credits for research and development. ” The two branches of OpSens currently employ around 180 people. This number could rise to 220 by the end of the year. “We will continue to offer our sensor to partners in other fields, but in cardiology, we will continue to develop our own products. There will be a follow-up to our cardiology products, but we are also seeing a lot of potential in the rest of the industry, ”concludes Mr. Laflamme. Important Alert Dear reader. I hope you are in health and well. I offer you important instructions regarding this article The article has been translated based on the content of the source link below these instructions If there is any problem related to the content, copyright, correctness of the information contained in this article, or If there are errors in the language, please leave a report below the article. or contact us via email [email protected]. We will try to process as quickly as possible to protect the rights of the author. Thank you very much! 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