Insightec has reached a major milestone in MR-guided focused ultrasound treatment across the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. The global medical technology company has now treated 10,000 patients with its Exablate® Neuro platform. The platform supports treatment for essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease. This achievement marks a decade of focused ultrasound growth across EMEA. Moreover, treatment volumes have more than doubled during the past three years.
As adoption increases, more hospitals now provide incisionless treatment options. Consequently, more patients can access alternatives beyond medication or invasive surgery. Currently, MR-guided focused ultrasound is available at more than 62 treatment centers. These centers operate across 20 countries throughout the EMEA region.
Treatment growth continues across both essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease indications. Meanwhile, Insightec has expanded its global treatment footprint significantly. More than 30,000 patients have received treatment at 226 centers worldwide. Therefore, the EMEA milestone represents an important part of the company’s broader global expansion.
“Ten thousand is a number, but behind every one of those treatments is a person who got their life back: a hand steady enough to hold a cup of coffee, or write a birthday card, or hug a grandchild without shaking,” said Jake Ghannam, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer at Insightec. “We’re proud of how far focused ultrasound has come in EMEA, and just as proud to see Parkinson’s disease patients now benefiting from the same incisionless approach that’s already changed thousands of lives with essential tremor. None of this happens without the clinical teams who believed in this therapy early and did the hard work of building it into their standard of care.“
Ghannam said the technology’s expansion reflects more than treatment volume. Instead, the milestone also represents meaningful changes in patients’ everyday lives. For many patients, treatment outcomes can have a deeply personal impact. Juan José, a 56-year-old carpenter from Spain, provides one such example.
Patient Experience Highlights Impact of Focused Ultrasound Treatment
José has lived with essential tremor since childhood. The condition also runs through his family. His son has inherited the condition as well. Over the years, José became increasingly self-conscious about his tremor. As a result, he often stayed in his home workshop. He avoided situations where other people could notice his shaking hands.
Recently, José completed treatment on his second side. He had received his first MRgFUS treatment several years earlier. That initial procedure treated his dominant hand. Now, the second-side treatment has provided additional relief. His experience demonstrates the potential impact of incisionless therapy. It also highlights how treatment can influence confidence and daily activities.
“I didn’t want to go out with my partner because I felt like people were watching my every move when drinking a glass of water or picking up a fork. People notice all of that, so you avoid it.” José said. “In a way, I had completely lost confidence in my ability to live a normal life. Now I feel that I am in control of everything again. You realize it yourself and think My God, this, this is living! Now I understand what life is like for normal people.”
Watch José’s full story Stories such as José’s have helped attract increasing physician interest. Over the past decade, more clinicians have incorporated focused ultrasound into treatment pathways.
But wider adoption has not overcome regional access problems. Millions of people in EMEA are affected by essential tremor or Parkinson’s disease. But access to more sophisticated treatment options is patchy across the region. In particular, the location of the patient can influence access to focused ultrasound treatment.
Some countries now have treatment pathways in place. “Patients in those markets can also enjoy more reimbursement options. But other countries face big hurdles. These challenges can restrict access to sophisticated neurological care.
Insightec Targets More Equitable Healthcare Access
Insightec views the 10,000-patient milestone as both an achievement and a call for further action.
“Ten thousand patients is a milestone worth celebrating, but it also reminds us how much more there is to do,” said Insightec Chairman and CEO Maurice Ferré, MD. “Where someone lives should not determine whether they can access an appropriate treatment option. Our ambition is to work alongside clinicians, patient organizations, healthcare systems and government bodies to help create broader and more equitable access to high-quality care throughout the world. Our next milestone isn’t simply about reaching a bigger number. It’s about seeing more patients treated every year, in more countries, with more equitable access to care.”
Insightec will continue its collaboration with healthcare stakeholders around the world. The company is working with health authorities, clinical societies and patient groups. These efforts are intended to improve access to MR-guided focused ultrasound treatment. They also plan to create sustainable treatment paths in underserved markets. And, furthermore, Insightec wants to get to the bottom of reimbursement challenges still across EMEA. Greater healthcare access could enable more eligible patients to look for advanced treatment options. As such, the company’s latest milestone is both an achievement and an ongoing opportunity. More treatment centers in the region now provide focused ultrasound. Meanwhile, countries still differ greatly among themselves. Insightec wants to be there for healthcare systems on their journey to more equitable access.
Ultimately the company wants more and more patients to get the right treatment each year. It also wants to expand access to more countries. Insightec is committed to advancing the role of MR-guided focused ultrasound in neurological care through ongoing collaboration. The company is committed to broader and more equal access to high quality treatment around the world.
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News Source: PRNewswire.com
