GI Dynamics expands reach of EndoBarrier in AU

GI Dynamics (ASX:GID) has expanded the Australian reach for EndoBarrier Therapy, its device therapy for type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Physicians at South Eastern Gastroenterology in Sydney and the Surgical Weight Loss Centre in Queensland have started treating patients using the technology, the company announced.

EndoBarrier treatment is available at clinical sites across all capital cities excluding Canberra. The product was listed on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods in 2011.

“As part of our measured and phased approach to expand access to EndoBarrier Therapy worldwide, we are pleased that these two additional centres in Australia have begun offering [the treatment,]” GI Dynamics CEO Stuart A Randle said.

EndoBarrier is a flexible, tube-shaped liner designed to be inserted endoscopically and serve as a barrier between food and a portion of the intestinal wall to help treat obesity and type 2 diabetes.

At Digestive Diseases Week 2014, GI Dynamics presented data from its collaborative research with GlaxoSmithKline into the potential mechanism of action behind EndoBarrier.

Researchers observed increased levels of bile acids in treated patients. This mirrors the result of a common type of gastric bypass surgery - Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB).

“The increased level of bile acids we observed suggests that there may be a similar mechanism of action associated with EndoBarrier in the treatment of obesity and diabetes to that observed with gastric bypass,” GI Dynamics Chief Medical Officer Dr David Maggs commented.

“This mechanism may be the driver of the significant weight loss and glucose stabilisation seen in patients treated with EndoBarrier.”

During the research, 17 patients with severe obesity were implanted with EndoBarrier for a 52-week period. During this time, the treatment achieved a total body weight loss of 16%.

GI Dynamics (ASX:GID) shares were trading 1.9% lower at $0.515 as of around 1 pm on Monday