VANCOUVER, BC, March 4, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via PRWEB - According to a new report published by iData Research, millions of people in the U.S. suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), more commonly known as acid reflux. Medications are commonly prescribed to control acid production, but these can have side effects. In addition, invasive surgical procedures can overly correct the problem and lead to other uncomfortable digestive conditions.
GERD: A Market Opportunity
GERD occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter does not function properly. Anti-reflux devices are designed to treat GERD in order to alleviate symptoms and improve living conditions for individuals suffering from the disorder. Those who suffer from this condition are recommended by some doctors to undergo laparoscopic or open anti-reflux surgery, as esophagitis and Barrett's Esophagus may result from a lack of treatment.
Dr. Kamran Zamanian, CEO of iData Research expands on the market conditions for this treatment. "In this market, we see significant growth potential. GERD affects approximately 10% to 20% of the U.S. population, with over 6% experiencing symptoms daily. Despite the previous exit of numerous market players, the anti-reflux device market is expected to maintain double-digit growth rates this year."
Not all insurance companies cover anti-reflux procedures. But, as more literature supporting these procedures becomes available, the number of insurance carriers providing coverage will increase, driving unit sales further.
EndoGastric Solutions lead the incisionless anti-reflux device market. Its EsophyX device enables physicians to perform the transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) procedure, which has been backed by over 50 peer-reviewed papers. Over 16,000 patients have undergone the TIF procedure worldwide, mostly in the U.S.
However, other companies have entered the market such as Medigus, or Mederi Therapeutics, which acquired Curon Medical and its Stretta® system after it filed for bankruptcy in 2010. Additionally, Torax Medical, which received FDA approval for its LINX® system in 2012, competes in this anti-reflux space, but the procedure is not considered incisionless because it is performed with laparoscopic techniques.
Leading Competitor: EndoGastric Solutions
"Our TIF procedure fills a large treatment gap for chronic GERD sufferers," explains Skip Baldino, President and CEO of EndoGastric Solutions. "We are the only company in the incisionless anti-reflux therapy space backed with positive sham and placebo controlled clinical results. Now that a significant body of data has been published validating the safety and effectiveness of the TIF procedure, we believe more patients will seek out this incisionless procedure to repair the underlying cause of their disease."
Other Competitors
Mederi Therapeutics, Torax Medical, Medigus, and other companies are developing new technologies to compete with pharmaceutical treatments that offer better results to GERD sufferers. Over 40 million Americans suffer from GERD severe enough to take medication. These companies are targeting patients with refractory GERD where pharmaceuticals are not an option since nearly half of people with GERD have no symptom relief with medication. Therefore, anti-reflux surgery is quickly becoming the only alternative for those suffering with GERD.
For More Information
The iData report series on gastrointestinal endoscopic devices includes data on markets for GI endoscopes, capsule endoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, stenting and dilation, ERCP devices, biopsy foreceps, polypectomy snares, fine aspiration needles, specimen and foreign-body removal devices, hemostasis devices, anti-reflux devices, enteral feeding, and Barrett's esophagus ablation.
Full reports provide a comprehensive analysis including procedure numbers, units sold, market value, forecasts, as well as detailed competitive market shares and analyses of major players' success strategies in each market and segment.
Register online or email us at info(at)idataresearch(dot)net for a report brochure and synopsis for this latest edition report published by iData, entitled U.S. Market for Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Devices.
About iData Research
iData Research (http://www.idataresearch.com) is an international market research and consulting group focused on providing market intelligence for medical device and pharmaceutical companies. iData covers research in: Diabetes Drugs, Diabetes Devices, Pharmaceuticals, Anesthesiology, Wound Management, Orthopedics, Cardiovascular, Ophthalmics, Endoscopy, Gynecology, Urology and more.
This article was originally distributed on PRWeb. For the original version including any supplementary images or video, visit http://www.prweb.com/releases/2015/03/prweb12558588.htm