Meril Life Sciences has announced the launch of its indigenously researched and developed bioresorbable scaffold (BRS) MeRes100 in India. Bioresorbable scaffolds are non-metallic, non-permanent mesh tubes, similar to stents, that dissolve over time after ensuring the previously blocked artery is opened via a routine angioplasty procedure.

This novel therapy option, which can meaningfully treat an identified subset of the patient population, will be launched in a phased, sequential manner to ensure adherence to best clinical practices and continued development of clinical research and long-term evidence.

Currently, MeRes100 is being launched in 16 cities across India, including Mumbai, Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Mohali, Jaipur, Kochi and Eddakad (in Kerala), Nagpur and Bhubaneswar.

Sanjeev Bhatt, Sr Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Meril Life Sciences, commented, “We will facilitate a multi-national, multi-centre, randomised clinical trial, MeRethon RCT, comparing MeRes100 to conventional drug eluting stents. Approximately 2,000 patients will undergo clinical, angiographic and OCT imaging follow-ups over five years, to establish long term clinical evidence of BRS therapy and its benefits.”

MeRes100 is the first-ever 100 micron thin-strut BRS developed to treat people with coronary artery disease. Till date, it has been granted a total of 12 patents from the US, Japan, Australia, Russia, Europe, Korea, China, Brazil and India. Backed by multi-year safety and efficacy data from Indian and international trials, MeRes100 has received DCGI approval as well as European CE approval. 

Dr Praveen Chandra, Chairman- Interventional Cardiology, Medanta- The Medicity, Gurugram, India, and Co-Principal Investigator of the MeRes-1 Study, commented, “With appropriate patient and lesion selection, bioresorbable or dissolvable stent technology can bridge the gap between the temporary horizon required for healing a blockage and the permanent nature of a metallic stent implant.”