Draft:Endosense
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|  |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Medical devices |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Founders | Eric Le Royer (CEO), Giovanni Léo (CTO), Vitali Veyrin |
| Fate | Acquired by St. Jude Medical |
| Headquarters | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Products | TactiCath (force-sensing ablation catheter) |
Endosense was a Swiss medical device company based in Geneva, best known for developing the world’s first force-sensing ablation catheter for the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias[1]. Founded in 2003, the company played a pioneering role in the advancement of catheter-based electrophysiology. It was acquired in 2013 by St. Jude Medical (later part of Abbott Laboratories) for a total consideration of CHF 309 million (approximately USD 330 million), including milestone-based earn-outs that were fully achieved.[2]
History
[edit]Endosense was founded in 2003 in Geneva, Switzerland, by medtech entrepreneur Eric Le Royer [3], engineer and entrepreneur Giovanni Léo, and cardiac electrophysiologist Dr. Vitali Veyrin. The company focused on developing technology to improve the safety and effectiveness of catheter ablation procedures for treating atrial fibrillation (AF) and other supraventricular tachycardias (SVT).
Its core innovation was the TactiCath catheter, which provided real-time, quantitative feedback on the contact force between the catheter tip and cardiac tissue during ablation. This addressed a major limitation in conventional ablation techniques, where insufficient or excessive contact pressure could lead to ineffective lesions or complications.
Technology
[edit]The TactiCath was the first irrigated ablation catheter with contact force-sensing capabilities approved for use in Europe[4]. It employed fiber-optic sensor technology to measure contact force in real time. Integrated into a 3D electroanatomic mapping systems, this data allowed clinicians to optimize lesion formation and reduce the risks associated with poor catheter-tissue contact.
The technology was considered a breakthrough in catheter ablation and sparked a wave of development in force-sensing ablation systems globally.
Clinical Trials
[edit]Endosense’s TactiCath technology was validated through several multicenter clinical studies:
- TOCCATA (2009): Demonstrated the feasibility and safety of contact force sensing in ablation procedures. [5]
- EFFICAS I & II: Investigated lesion durability and the relationship between contact force and reconnection rates.[6]
- TOCCASTAR (U.S.): A pivotal IDE trial submitted to the FDA evaluating the safety and efficacy of TactiCath in treating paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.
These trials collectively confirmed that real-time contact force monitoring improved lesion consistency and procedural outcomes compared to conventional catheters.
Funding and Partnerships
[edit]Endosense raised over USD 50 million in venture capital across multiple rounds[7]. Notable investors included:
- 3i Group
- Edmond de Rothschild Group
- Ysios Capital
- VI Partners
- NGN Capital
In 2011, Endosense entered a joint development collaboration with Siemens Healthcare to integrate contact force data with electroanatomic mapping systems.[8]
Acquisition by St. Jude Medical
[edit]On August 27, 2013, St. Jude Medical announced the acquisition of Endosense for CHF 159 million upfront, with up to CHF 150 million in milestone-based earn-outs. Endosense ultimately met all performance milestones, resulting in a total transaction value of CHF 309 million (USD ~330 million). The acquisition allowed St. Jude to integrate contact force sensing into its existing line of electrophysiology tools, strengthening its competitive position in the global cardiac ablation market.
TactiCath was later incorporated into St. Jude’s EnSite Velocity System and subsequent innovations under the Abbott portfolio.
Legacy
[edit]Endosense’s pioneering work in contact force-sensing technology influenced the standard of care in electrophysiology, leading to wider adoption of force-sensing catheters and informing the development of other technologies like robotic catheter systems and AI-assisted lesion modeling.[9] The company is often cited as one of Switzerland’s most successful medtech exits and remains a case study in translational innovation from concept to global impact.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Endosense Receives CE Mark for its TactiCath Force Sensing Ablation Catheter". DAIC. 2009-05-06. Archived from the original on 2023-06-06. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
Endosense said today it received the CE mark for its TactiCath system, reportedly the first force-sensing ablation catheter
- ^ "St. Jude Medical to Acquire Endosense" (Press release). Business Wire. 2013-08-27. Archived from the original on 2023-06-05. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ^ "Eric Le Royer – PCR Online". PCR Online. Europa Group. Archived from the original on 2024-05-01. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
Eric Le Royer is the founder and former CEO of Endosense.
- ^ Kuck, Karl-Heinz; Reddy, Vivek; Schlüter, Michael (2015). "Contact force sensing improves outcomes in catheter ablation: Results from the TOCCASTAR study". Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology. 8 (4): 873–879. doi:10.1161/CIRCEP.114.002588. PMC 11916502. PMID 26162816.
Real-time contact force measurement significantly improved clinical outcomes and lesion quality in atrial fibrillation ablation compared with non–force-sensing catheters.
- ^ Kuck, Karl-Heinz (2009). "Feasibility of Contact Force Monitoring During RF Ablation". Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology. 3 (5): 462–469. doi:10.1161/CIRCEP.109.858365 (inactive 12 June 2025). PMID 20682920.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of June 2025 (link) - ^ "The EFFICAS trials: The relationship between contact force and pulmonary vein isolation durability". Heart Rhythm. Archived from the original on 2023-06-05. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ^ "Endosense hauls in $40M C round to expand catheter tech". Fierce Biotech. 2012. Archived from the original on 2023-06-05. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ^ "Siemens and Endosense ink force-sensing catheter deal". MassDevice. 2011. Archived from the original on 2023-06-05. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
- ^ "Endosense Reinforces Clinical Leadership in Contact-Force Sensing with Study Data at Heart Rhythm 2011". Business Wire. 2011-05-09. Archived from the original on 2023-06-06. Retrieved 2025-06-10.
EFFICAS I represents the most rigorous and detailed investigation… and …firmly position contact-force control as the standard of care
Category:Medical technology companies of Switzerland Category:Defunct companies of Switzerland Category:Health care companies established in 2003 Category:Companies disestablished in 2013 Category:Cardiology Category:Abbott Laboratories acquisitions
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