Argentina's ANMAT Approves EndoStim® LES Stimulation Therapy for Patients with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

THE HAGUE, The Netherlands, Oct. 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- EndoStim announced today that Argentina's National Administration of Drugs, Food and Medical Technology (ANMAT) approved its Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) Stimulation System for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). EndoStim is currently available in Europe, Asia and several other countries in Latin America such as Chile and Colombia.

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"We are very pleased to announce that we have received approval from ANMAT to treat patients in Argentina," said Shai Policker, Sr. Vice President of Operations for EndoStim. "We are excited to continue developing our presence in Latin America, to offer a new alternative to patients unsatisfied with traditional treatment options."

Dr. Alejandro Nieponice, Director of Minimally Invasive Esophageal Surgery at Fundación Favaloro in Buenos Aires, says, "We are excited to introduce this new technology in our program that can help patients with GERD without the side effects of current alternatives. In Argentina many patients suffer from this disease and they are constantly seeking for options that provide relief without the need of taking pills every morning."

Corpomedica S.A. distributes and markets the EndoStim LES Stimulation System in Argentina. "We believe our partnership with the highly experienced team at Corpomedica S.A. will greatly assist in making our technology accessible at hospitals throughout Argentina," adds Simone Arins, Director of Operations, Latin America, for EndoStim.

About Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a chronic disease that affects hundreds of millions of patients worldwide, and often requires lifelong treatment with acid blocker medications. Symptoms generally occur when the weakness or dysfunction in the lower esophageal sphincter muscle allows stomach contents to flow backward into the esophagus causing esophageal inflammation and damage. Acid reflux causes heartburn, regurgitation and can lead to Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer. Millions of patients continue to suffer from bothersome GERD symptoms despite maximal medication therapy.

About EndoStim LES Stimulation Therapy

EndoStim is a venture-backed medical device company based in St. Louis, Missouri, and the Hague, the Netherlands, focused on developing innovative active implantable devices. EndoStim's LES Stimulation Therapy is a minimally-invasive treatment for GERD, designed to use low energy electrical pulses to strengthen a weak or dysfunctional lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle – one of the main underlying causes of GERD. For more information and news about EndoStim, please visit www.endostim.com.

SOURCE EndoStim