Medtronic Announces New SPYRAL HTN Global Clinical Trial Program for Renal Denervation
Medtronic, Inc.
Medtronic, Inc.

DUBLIN - April 1, 2015 - Medtronic plc (MDT) today announced the initiation of the SPYRAL HTN Global Clinical Trial Program, a unique, phased clinical program studying renal denervation in uncontrolled hypertension. This announcement follows investigational device exemption (IDE) approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The program will begin with two global studies designed to address the confounding factors encountered in the SYMPLICITY HTN-3 clinical trial, including medication, patient population and procedural variability, to ensure the clinical potential of the therapy is evaluated.

Physicians in both studies will perform renal denervation with Medtronic`s next-generation renal denervation technology, composed of the highly flexible 6 Fr compatible, multi-electrode Symplicity Spyral(TM) catheter and Symplicity G3(TM) radiofrequency (RF) generator. The Symplicity Spyral catheter and G3 generator are investigational in the United States and Japan.

"Medtronic believes the underlying science behind renal denervation is strong and that there is a clear unmet need for people with uncontrolled hypertension. Therefore, we remain committed to exploring the clinical potential of renal denervation in this population," said Jason Weidman, vice president and general manager, Medtronic Coronary and Renal Denervation, within Medtronic`s Coronary and Structural Heart business. "To get to this point, we`ve performed extensive analyses and conducted additional pre-clinical testing following the SYMPLICITY HTN-3 trial. We`ve also consulted with the FDA and reimbursement bodies, and partnered with renowned thought-leaders worldwide to develop this novel clinical trial protocol."

The principal investigators for the initial two global studies represent some of the most experienced renal denervation specialists, including: Michael Böhm, M.D., Ph.D., chairman, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Saarland in Homburg/Saar, Germany; David Kandzari, M.D., director and chief scientific officer, Piedmont Heart Institute in Atlanta, Ga.; Kazuomi Kario, M.D., chairman, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine in Tochigi, Japan; and Raymond Townsend, M.D., director of the hypertension program, University of Pennsylvania.

The SPYRAL HTN Global Clinical Trial Program includes two global, prospective, randomized, sham-controlled trials conducted simultaneously by experienced proceduralists to investigate the impact of renal denervation both in the absence of and in the presence of antihypertensive medications. The SPYRAL HTN-OFF MED and SPYRAL HTN-ON MED studies will each include approximately 100 patients with moderate- to high-risk hypertension, as opposed to the severe, treatment resistant population studied in the SYMPLCITY HTN-3 trial. These studies will be conducted at approximately 20 centers in the U.S. and other global geographies.