Boston Scientific has expanded into the endobariatrics segment in India with the launch of the Apollo ESG™ System and the Orbera365™ Intragastric Balloon System. This initiative aligns with the company’s mission to transform patient care through innovative, less invasive solutions.
The Apollo ESG™ System facilitates endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG), a non-surgical weight-loss procedure that reduces stomach volume by up to 80 per cent, offering a viable alternative for individuals with obesity who may not qualify for traditional bariatric surgery.
A landmark clinical trial, the Multicenter Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty Randomized Interventional Trial (MERIT), demonstrated the safety and efficacy of ESG in treating Class I and II obesity. The study reported a 49 per cent excess body weight loss at 12 months, with the following additional findings:
The ESG procedure, performed under general anaesthesia by a trained gastroenterologist or surgeon, uses the Apollo ESG™ System’s endoscopic suturing device to create a sleeve-like structure within the stomach. This technique reduces food intake, delays gastric emptying, and promotes long-term weight loss.
Key features of the Apollo ESG™ System include its minimally invasive nature, which leaves no visible scars, and its ability to preserve key stomach structures, allowing for future medical interventions if needed. The procedure typically requires a short hospital stay of one to two days. Both the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) have authorised the Apollo ESG™ System for use in these procedures.
In addition to the Apollo ESG™ System, Boston Scientific has launched the Orbera365™ Intragastric Balloon System. This non-surgical solution involves placing a saline-filled balloon in the stomach to promote portion control and reduce calorie intake. With over 20 years of clinical history and use in more than 80 countries, the Orbera365™ System has helped patients worldwide achieve significant weight loss.
As per the press statement, it is designed for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30–50 who have not succeeded with supervised weight-loss programmes, the Orbera365™ balloon provides a temporary but effective method of weight management.
Madan R. Krishnan, Vice President and Managing Director, APAC Growth Markets, Boston Scientific, said, “The introduction of the Apollo ESG™ and Orbera365™ Systems in India marks a significant milestone in addressing obesity through safe and less invasive solutions. With obesity rates rising, these innovative technologies offer new hope for patients seeking effective weight-loss options without resorting to traditional bariatric surgery.”
According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019–21, obesity is a growing concern in India. The survey found that 22.9 per cent of women and 19.5 per cent of men aged 15–49 were overweight, while 6.4 per cent of women and 3.7 per cent of men were classified as obese.
