US-based Allurion Technologies has launched its weight management solution Allurion swallowable capsule to treat obesity in India. The device has been recently approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). The swallowable capsule is paired with the Allurion Virtual Care Suite, a remote patient monitoring solution powered by the IRIS AI platform that includes a mobile app, connected scale and health tracker.

The capsule contains a deflated gastric balloon that can be inflated with 550 ml of liquid by a healthcare professional. The inflated balloon remains in the stomach for around four weeks, reduces the feeling of hunger and automatically deflates and passes out of the body naturally. The procedure sans surgery, endoscopy and anaesthesia. Though present in around 58 countries and has treated more than 100000 patients worldwide, the device took time to reach India due to stringent regulatory mechanisms.

Says Dr Shantanu Gaur, Founder and CEO, Allurion, “The entire treatment costs Rs 3 lakhs in India. We plan to tie up with doctors and healthcare players. There are also plans to set up a metabolic research institute in India.” Regarding the regulatory issues, he mentioned that it was a long process. 

Dr Ram Chuttani, Chief Medical Officer and Founding Partner, Allurion, opines, “Studies have confirmed the proven efficacy and safety of the Allurion programme, helping patients lose an average 10-15 per cent of their body weight in approximately 16 weeks.”

Dr Mohit Bhandari of Mohak Bariatrics mentions, “I think the weight management needs to be normalised rather than stigmatised and the Allurion programme is a positive step.”

Sanjiv Das

sanjiv.das@mmactiv.com