Latest news with #InnovativeDevicesAccessPathway
Daily Mirror
21 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
New ‘Star Wars' cancer treatment which pulverises tumours with sound waves
The NHS is set to become the only health system in Europe to use ground-breaking histotripsy technology, which removes the need for surgery by firing pulses to form micro bubbles from gases A 'Star Wars' treatment which zaps hard-to-reach cancers using sound waves is being trialled on the NHS. The technology, called histotripsy, removes the need for surgery and instead fires pulses to form micro bubbles from gases within the tumour. These 'bubble clouds' expand and contract in microseconds to destroy the cancer cells. The targeted ultrasound technology currently only available in the US will now be trialled by the NHS on liver cancer patients in Cambridge. If successful regulators say it will be a 'a major step forward' which it is hoped could be used to destroy pancreatic and kidney cancers. The Government says Health Secretary Wes Streeting intervened to authorise controlled early access to the device, as part of a new Innovative Devices Access Pathway (ADIP) programme. Mr Streeting, who previously had kidney cancer, told the Mirror: 'I've slashed red tape, so NHS patients will be the first in Europe to benefit from a revolutionary and non-invasive liver cancer treatment – that uses ultrasound technology to destroy tumours - years earlier than planned. "Patients stand to see faster recovery times, fewer dangerous complications, and shorter hospital stays. We are slashing red tape, so game-changing new treatments reach the NHS front line quicker.' In contrast to invasive surgery, the targeted ultrasound can take just 30 minutes with 'limited or no pain' and involves a quick recovery. It destroys tissue at cellular and sub-cellular levels while avoiding the ionising damage of radiation or the heat damage from thermal treatments. The bubble clouds cause the cancerous mass to break apart, destroying tumor cells and leaving the debris to be eliminated by the immune system. US cancer expert Dr Jennifer Linehan, of St John's Cancer Institute, said the device could in future also be used to pulverise prostate and bladder cancers. She said: 'This technology kills tumours without even touching you. Sometimes when I'm talking to patients I tell them this is ' Star Wars technology' because there are no cuts, there's no poking, there's nothing that's going inside you from outside. It's all happening with a focused beam of ultrasound to destroy the tumours.' The first cancer patients in Europe to access the treatment under such a scheme will be treated for their liver cancer at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge this summer. The machine, manufactured by HistoSonics, is expected to be fully installed later this year, where it will be used initially to treat patients with primary and secondary liver tumours. Wider research on how this could potentially treat tumours in other organs is underway. James Pound, innovation director at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), said: 'We've shown we can get promising technologies to patients faster without compromising safety. It's a major step forward for patients with liver cancer and shows how the UK can be a frontrunner in supporting responsible innovation that meets real clinical need.' Patients undergoing histotripsy are given general anesthesia to control breathing and to minimize movements of targeted tumours An evaluation of the NHS pilot will be published later this year by the Department of Health and Social Care. Histotripsy has already been approved to treat liver tumors by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Roland Sinker, Chief Executive of Cambridge University Hospitals said: 'Histotripsy is an exciting new technology that will make a huge difference to patients. By offering this non-invasive, more targeted treatment we can care for more people as outpatients and free up time for surgeons to treat more complex cases. 'The faster recovery times mean patients will be able to return to their normal lives more quickly, which will also reduce pressure on hospital beds, helping us ensure that patients are able to receive the right treatment at the right time.' Wes Streeting - Secretary of State for Health and Social Care As a cancer survivor, I know what an incredible impact medical technology can have. After I was diagnosed with kidney cancer, I was treated by a world-class surgeon equipped with a robot. Together, they saved my life. The NHS is abuzz with innovation and creativity. We're already witnessing the trial of an AI-driven blood test to spot common cancers, the roll-out of a game-changing system to bring cancer patients' data together, and the unprecedented expansion of the NHS app. It is my job to put the wind in the sails and give the world's greatest minds the freedom to unleash tomorrow's tech. To strengthen Britain's role as a global leader, those innovators must be freed from the shackles of stifling regulatory processes. Of course, we need to keep patients safe, but technology is moving quickly, and so must we. That's why I've already slashed red tape, so NHS patients will be the first in Europe to benefit from a revolutionary and non-invasive liver cancer treatment – developed by US-based company HistoSonics – that uses ultrasound technology to destroy tumours, years earlier than planned. Patients stand to see faster recovery times, fewer dangerous complications, and shorter hospital stays. Soon, we will publish the 10 Year Health Plan – a once in a generation strategy to save and rebuild the NHS, delivering a health service fit for the future. This government will unleash innovation to speed the shift from analogue to digital, and tackle the bureaucracy holding back our public services No longer will the creativity needed to bring our NHS into the modern age be stifled. Through our Plan for Change, we will get the latest tech to our NHS frontline, put patients first and develop a 21st century health service that's, once again, the envy of the world.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
HistoSonics' histotripsy system receives early market access authorisation in UK
Amid reports of an acquisition by one of the leading players in the medical device space, HistoSonics' Edison histotripsy system has been granted controlled early limited market access in the UK under an Unmet Clinical Need Authorisation (UCNA). The US company received the UCNA under the UK's Innovative Devices Access Pathway (IDAP), launched by the UK Government in 2023 to help fast-track 'transformative medical technologies' into the healthcare system. Designed for the non-invasive destruction of liver tumours, the Edison system delivers focused ultrasound to target and eliminate cancerous liver tissue. The device received de novo clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2023. HistoSonics' president and CEO Mike Blue said the company was 'honoured' to work alongside the National Health Service (NHS) to bring histotripsy to UK patients, many of whom have 'limited options'. He states: 'Securing controlled access through the IDAP pilot programme is a tremendous milestone for HistoSonics and signals clear recognition of our technology's potential to transform healthcare.' HistoSonics' authorisation comes as reports emerge that potential buyers are considering acquiring the company. According to a 1 May report by the Financial Times, HistoSonics is seeking a valuation of more than $2.5bn, with Medtronic, GE HealthCare and Johnson & Johnson (J&J), a longtime backer of HistoSonics, among the interested parties evaluating the business. J&J most recently participated in the company's $102m Series D funding round. HistoSonics was selected for a UCNA under the IDAP programme after the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) determined that histotripsy devices may provide "public health value" for patients with primary or metastatic liver tumours. Other companies awarded part of a £10m funding package from the MHRA last year to expedite their medical devices' entry onto the UK market included Upfront Diagnostics for a portable blood test, and Lenus Health for an AI-based tool to predict patients' risk of hospitalisation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Earlier this month, healthcare payor Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) and health plan option Blue Care Network became the first US medical insurer to cover non-thermal histotripsy using HistoSonics' Edison system. "HistoSonics' histotripsy system receives early market access authorisation in UK" was originally created and published by Medical Device Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
