Valve Medical’s Xemed TAVR System Used in First-in-Human Implantation in Israel

May 31, 2023—Valve Medical, a wholly owned subsidiary of Medinol Ltd., announced the successful first-in-human implantation of the company’s Xemed transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system, which features a modular valve. The procedure was conducted by Professor Ran Kornowski, MD, Director of Interventional Cardiology at Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva, Israel.

According to the company, the Xemed’s modular design provides an ultra-low profile, enabling the use of a standard 12-F sheath. This reduction in size allows for universal access to transfemoral delivery for all patients, including those with smaller arteries, while reducing the risk of vascular and bleeding complications. Additionally, the profile simplifies vessel closure, reducing procedure times and workload for physicians and supporting staff. The device also incorporates an adaptive sealing technology to reduce paravalvular leakage.

“We were impressed with the device and its straightforward implantation,” commented Prof. Kornowski in the company’s press release. “The low profile will allow us to treat most patients by making the procedure safer and more accessible to a broader population.”

Yoram Richter, PhD, Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of Valve Medical, stated, “We believe the ultra-low profile, adaptive sealing, ease of coronary access, and advanced frame shape broaden the applicability of the device to more people, providing clinical benefits to both patients and physicians.”

Valve Medical’s CEO, Yoram Izhaki, MD, added, “We are also excited to announce that we are in the advanced stages of reducing the profile of the device even further to 9 F.”