Impulse Dynamics Announces First Implant for CCM-D™ Clinical Trial

World’s First Device Combining CCM Therapy With an ICD in a Single Rechargeable Implant That Treats Both Heart Failure Symptoms and Sudden Cardiac Death

MARLTON, N.J., May 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Impulse Dynamics plc, a global medical device company dedicated to improving the lives of people with heart failure, announced the completion of the first implantation for the INTEGRA-D clinical trial, designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of two proven cardiac therapies combined — CCM® and an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) — in a single device (CCM-D). The Optimizer® IntegraTM CCM-D System delivers CCM therapy to improve quality of life and reduce heart failure symptoms, and ICD therapy to treat life-threatening arrhythmias that may cause sudden cardiac death. The investigational technology is rechargeable with long battery life, potentially reducing the need for replacement procedures.

The journey of a heart failure patient often involves debilitating symptoms and declining quality of life.

CCM therapy delivered by the Optimizer System improves quality of life and helps patients feel better. Patients indicated for CCM therapy may also be at a higher risk for arrythmias and sudden cardiac arrest and are therefore often offered an ICD to treat their heart for life-threatening arrythmias, should they occur. The INTEGRA-D trial is the first to evaluate the Optimizer Integra CCM-D System that combines both therapies into a single device, designed to last for many years.

“The first-in-the-world implant of this novel technology has potential to advance treatments for patients living with heart failure,” said Niraj Varma, M.D., Ph.D., electrophysiologist at Cleveland Clinic and National Primary Investigator of the INTEGRA-D clinical trial. “The trial aims to study whether this device can protect heart failure patients from the risk of sudden cardiac death while also treating heart failure symptoms.”

“We hope combining cardiac contractility modulation therapy and ICD therapy with prolonged battery life will reduce the number of leads and the number of procedures a patient may have to endure,” said Bruce Wilkoff, M.D., Director of Cardiac Pacing and Tachyarrhythmia Devices at Cleveland Clinic and Principal Investigator of the INTEGRA-D trial. “The first implant went well, and we look forward to further studying this device.”

The INTEGRA-D trial is a multicenter study of 300 subjects from 75 centers that will evaluate the combination of CCM and ICD therapy in a single device via the Optimizer Integra CCM-D System. The study will assess the performance of the CCM-D device in effectively treating episodes of ventricular tachycardia and/or ventricular fibrillation while also providing CCM treatment for heart failure. Patients enrolled in the study will receive the Optimizer Integra CCM-D System, and will be followed for at least two years.

“This clinical study is important in proving the potential benefit of combining CCM therapy, which improves quality of life in patients with heart failure, with gold-standard ICD technology that delivers lifesaving therapy for sudden cardiac death,” said Nir Uriel, M.D., Director of Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplantation at New York-Presbyterian and National Co-Principal Investigator for the INTEGRA-D trial. Dr. Uriel is also a professor of cardiology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and an Adjunct Professor of Medicine in the Greenberg Division of Cardiology at Weill Cornell Medicine.

“Today’s announcement is another example of our commitment to a continuous pace of innovation to build a comprehensive platform in interventional heart failure and help improve the lives of many patients that suffer from this debilitating disease,” said Simos Kedikoglou, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Impulse Dynamics. “We are proud to partner with physicians at leading centers around the world to conduct important research on this first-of-its-kind rechargeable combination device designed to address a major unmet need of a large patient group.”

About the Optimizer Integra CCM-D System and CCM Therapy

The Optimizer Integra CCM-D System is an investigational device that combines CCM therapy and ICD therapy into one device. “Investigational” means that the study device is currently being tested. It is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Impulse Dynamics currently offers the Optimizer system that is FDA-approved and CE-marked. The Optimizer system delivers CCM therapy — the company’s proprietary technology — to the heart. CCM therapy has been designed by Impulse Dynamics to significantly improve the heart’s contraction, allowing more oxygen-rich blood to be pushed out through the body. CCM therapy is indicated to improve the 6-minute hall walk, quality of life, and functional status of NYHA Class III heart failure patients who remain symptomatic despite guideline-directed medical therapy, are not indicated for CRT, and have a left ventricular ejection fraction ranging from 25 to 45 percent.

CCM is the brand name for cardiac contractility modulation — a therapy that delivers non-excitatory electrical pulses from the implantable Optimizer device to improve heart contraction. CCM therapy sends unique electrical pulses to the heart cells during the absolute refractory period. In doing so, CCM helps the heart contract more forcibly. Impulse Dynamics has completed numerous clinical studies, including several randomized controlled trials, and CCM therapy has been published in more than 120 peer-reviewed journal articles.

About Impulse Dynamics

Impulse Dynamics is dedicated to advancing the treatment of heart failure for patients and the healthcare providers who care for them. The company pioneered its proprietary CCM therapy, which uses the Optimizer technology platform to improve quality of life in heart failure patients. CCM therapy is delivered through the Optimizer system, which includes an IPG implanted in a minimally invasive procedure and approved for commercial use in the United States and 44 countries worldwide. More than 9,000 patients have received the therapy as part of clinical trials and real-world use, where it is proven to be safe and effective for heart failure patients with debilitating symptoms who otherwise have few effective options available to them. To learn more, visit www.ImpulseDynamics.com, or follow the company on LinkedInTwitter, and Facebook.

Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this press release are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as ‘‘may,’’ ‘‘will,’’ ‘‘should,’’ ‘‘expect,’’ ‘‘plan,’’ ‘‘anticipate,’’ ‘‘could,’’ ‘‘intend,’’ ‘‘target,’’ ‘‘project,’’ ‘‘contemplate,’’ ‘‘believe,’’ ‘‘estimate,’’ ‘‘predict,’’ ‘‘potential’’ or ‘‘continue’’ or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning potential benefits of CCM therapy, and CCM therapy combined with an ICD delivered via a single device (CCM-D), and the absence of risks associated therewith; the ability for CCM therapy and our products to fill a significant unmet medical need for patients with heart failure; and the short-term and long-term benefits of the Optimizer Integra CCM-D System and CCM therapy in patients with heart failure, as well as to the physicians treating those patients. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Other important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contemplated in this press release include, without limitation: the company’s future research and development costs, capital requirements and the company’s needs for additional financing; commercial success and market acceptance of CCM therapy; the company’s ability to achieve and maintain adequate levels of coverage or reimbursement for Optimizer systems or any future products the company may seek to commercialize; competitive companies and technologies in the industry; the company’s ability to expand its indications and develop and commercialize additional products and enhancements to its current products; the company’s business model and strategic plans for its products, technologies and business, including its implementation thereof; the company’s ability to expand, manage and maintain its direct sales and marketing organization; the company’s ability to commercialize or obtain regulatory approvals for CCM therapy and its products, or the effect of delays in commercializing or obtaining regulatory approvals; FDA or other U.S. or foreign regulatory actions affecting us or the healthcare industry generally, including healthcare reform measures in the United States and international markets; the timing or likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals; and the company’s ability to establish and maintain intellectual property protection for CCM therapy and products or avoid claims of infringement. The company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements and expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the company’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.

Rohan More, Global Vice President of Marketing
Impulse Dynamics
856-642-9933
rmore@impulsedynamics.com

Harriss Currie, Chief Financial Officer
Impulse Dynamics
856-642-9933
hcurrie@impulsedynamics.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8841961

Chairman of Avia Solutions Group Gediminas Ziemelis: 10 big challenges for passenger aviation sustainability for the next 3 years

DUBLIN, Ireland, May 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ensuring sustainable operations has become a primary driver for aviation businesses in recent years. Nonetheless, this dynamic industry faces a multitude of challenges that can impede companies’ efforts to enhance profitability. While several factors contribute to the aviation industry’s struggles, certain key issues merit highlighting as primary culprits.

High market $ interest rates for heavily leveraged and drowning-in-debt airlines will be even higher

In recent years, the aviation industry has experienced a significant drop in demand for air travel, resulting in many airlines facing financial losses. To stay afloat during this time, airlines have taken on additional debt. However, this increased debt has resulted in higher risk for lenders, leading to higher market interest rates for the airlines.

In addition to the impact of the pandemic on the industry, other factors such as rising fuel costs and increased competition have also contributed to the financial struggles of many airlines. These factors have made it increasingly challenging for heavily leveraged airlines to generate profits and pay off their debt, leading to concerns about the sustainability of their business models.

The combination of these factors has led to a situation where heavily indebted airlines are now facing even higher market interest rates, which can exacerbate their financial difficulties.

Much higher insurance costs — worsening war risks could push insurance premiums higher

The aviation industry is grappling with rising insurance costs due to worsening geopolitical risks. This is highly influenced by the fact that, as stated by leading insurance companies, around 500 aircraft leased to Russian operators remain trapped in Russia. Insurers are facing potential liability issues due to the uncertain situation created by the Russian government’s refusal to release the aircraft.

As a result, insurers are struggling to assess the level of risk involved, leading to a wide range of potential losses estimated to be up to $30 billion, according to industry sources. This uncertainty is likely to drive up insurance premiums for airlines, impacting the industry as a whole.

Passengers will remember compensations for flight delays, and it will impact airlines’ unplanned costs

The EU regulation 261/2004 provides compensation for passengers who experience delays, cancellations, overbooking, or denied boarding. Depending on the specific circumstances and subject to certain conditions, affected passengers may be eligible for a compensation claim ranging from €250 to €600 per person. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of flight delays in the EU that fell under compensation was 1.5% of all flights, with an average compensation amount of €375 per delayed flight.

In 2019, EU airlines carried a total of 1.12 billion passengers, with 1.7 million flights experiencing delays and resulting in a total compensation pay-out of €6.3 billion. Only 10% of affected passengers currently file complaints directly with the airlines or via specialised service companies, such as Skycop or Airhelp.

However, this number is expected to increase significantly, as after COVID-19 the industry faces capacity shortages and other challenges. As a result, the number of claimable flights that experience delays could increase from 1.5% to 5%, potentially leading to a total compensation pay-out of €20 billion.

LEAP engines challenges will impact more aircraft on the ground and shortage of capacity;

According to our internal research, presently, the aviation industry operates a fleet of 1397 A320neo aircraft with LEAP-1A engines, totalling 3080 engines with an average of 2.2 engines per aircraft, and 1043 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft with LEAP-1B engines, totalling 2338 engines with an average of 2.2 engines per aircraft. To maintain these engines, there are 21 locations globally for LEAP-1A overhaul and maintenance and 22 locations for LEAP-1B engines.

However, the grounding of 16,000 aircraft (equivalent to 60% of the total fleet) in 2020-2021 has led to a staggering 60% postponement of LEAP engine maintenance. Consequently, there is now a significant maintenance gap across 43 locations, resulting in wait times of 9-10 months for engine maintenance, which could potentially disrupt airline operations.

OEM production and supply chain disrupted during 2023-2025 will cause a shortage of aircraft capacity;

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the aerospace industry. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) such as Boeing and Airbus have experienced significant disruptions in their production and supply chains. In response to the global economic slowdown and reduced demand for air travel, OEMs have cut their production levels by around half compared to pre-COVID levels. However, this has led to a shortage of aircraft capacity, which is hindering the industry’s recovery efforts.

The production cuts have affected over 5,000 suppliers in the supply chain, all of whom have had to reduce their volumes during the pandemic. Consequently, the recovery of the aerospace industry is projected to take 2.5-4 years to return to pre-COVID production levels. This prolonged period of disruption is likely to have significant consequences for the industry and its stakeholders.

In 2020-2021, the cancellation of pilot cadet programs and planned retirements caused a pilot shortage in 2023-2024 and a rapid increase in costs for airlines;

The aviation industry faces a constant demand for new pilots, as approximately 3% of pilots retire annually. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a major setback in the industry, with all cadet programs being either postponed or cancelled.

Hence, there is now a significant pilot shortage issue, leading to rapid cost increases. It is estimated that industry will experience a shortage of 300,000 pilots within a decade. This shortage is expected to create significant challenges, particularly in India, which is anticipated to have the largest pilot shortage.

Challenges to book MRO slots after COVID-19, because scheduled maintenance events were postponed

Another issue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is a significant accumulation of MRO services for aircraft worldwide. As a result of the unprecedented reduction in air travel and the grounding of many aircraft, scheduled maintenance was delayed or deferred.

Nonetheless, as air travel demand begins to recover and airlines return to full operations, the challenge of booking MRO slots to perform necessary maintenance on these aircraft has emerged. Many airlines are finding that MRO facilities are already operating at full capacity, resulting in long wait times and potential disruptions to airline operations. This accumulation of maintenance is expected to persist for some time, creating obstacles to the aviation industry’s recovery efforts.

Challenge to find engines maintenance slots for V2500, and RR engines due to deferred maintenance

Airlines that operate aircraft with V2500 and RR engines are also encountering difficulties in scheduling maintenance for their engines due to high demand and limited availability. This has created a challenging situation, particularly for airlines with large fleets of such aircraft.

The lack of available maintenance slots has forced airlines to ground some of their aircraft, leading to operational disruptions and revenue losses. In addition to the financial impact, the situation also poses safety concerns as delayed maintenance can compromise the safety and reliability of the engines, potentially leading to more significant problems in the future.

ESG requirements for greener aviation didn’t disappear in the medium term

The International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) 41st Assembly, held in Montreal in October 2022, marked a significant milestone for the aviation industry’s commitment to sustainability. The assembly committed to a Long Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050, which has brought Environment, Society, and Governance (ESG) issues to the forefront of the sustainable aviation conversation.

The LTAG’s ambitious target is challenging, but it has the potential to encourage airlines to accelerate the development and adoption of greener jet fuels and other technical improvements to decarbonise flying. This will require a significant shift in industry-wide mindset, investment in research and development, and collaboration between airlines, manufacturers, and governments to achieve the long-term goal.

After COVID-19, debts for spare parts, MRO services, and aircraft leasing will impact that some aircraft will still be grounded, which will cause capacity demand

The challenging situation in the industry has pushed airlines to take on additional debt to finance various aspects of their operations, such as spare parts, MRO services, and aircraft leasing. However, the increase in outstanding debt for the industry could have significant implications, with some airlines potentially struggling to pay off their debts, which could result in a reduction in capacity as airlines are forced to ground some of their aircraft or cut routes to minimise costs.

Insider data shows that the industry’s outstanding debt has jumped over 20% since 2020, reaching more than $300 billion. To raise capital, global air carriers have sold $63 billion in bonds and loans so far this year.

Media contact:
Silvija Jakiene
Chief Communications Officer
Avia Solutions Group
silvija.jakiene@aviasg.com
+370 671 22697

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1000810732

Chief Nana Owiredu Wadie I Commissions Sports Complex in Kwahu-Nkwatia

Nana Owiredu Wadie I, the Paramount Chief of the Kwahu-Nkwatia Traditional Area who doubles as the Chief Executive Officer of Kabaka Foundation has commissioned a new ultra-modern sports complex in Kwahu-Nkwatia in the Eastern Region.

Dr. Henry Larbi Director of Kabaka Foundation speaking to the GNA Sports, said the sports complex was to help discover young talented basketball and tennis players in the community.

He said, ‘we have commissioned two projects, Dente Water Mechanisation project and a new modern Sports Complex with Tennis, Basketball and Squash court in the Kwahu Nkwatia Community, with financial support from Nana Owiredu Wadie I, Nkosuohene of Kwahu-Nkwatia’.

He said these projects were in line with the Kabaka Foundation infrastructure development aimed at providing support for the people of Kwaku-Nkwatia.

Nana Opoku Amankwaa II commended the Chief for supporting the Community with various Projects.

He appealed to the people of Kwahu-Nkwatia to take good care of the facilities and entreated all to assist the community with such developmental projects.

Mr. Isaac Aboagye Dua, President of the Ghana Tennis Federation expressed his gratitude to Nana Owiredu Wadie I, for sponsoring the project for the development of tennis in the Ghana.

He said, ‘I want to thank the chief for constructing a standard tennis court opened to public especially for the youth in Kwahu and also organizing the first ever Tennis Championship in Kwahu’.

‘This he believes would bring Tennis clubs and individuals to Kwahu Nkwatia thereby bring businesses and development to the entire Kwahu.’

Source: Ghana News Agency

HD+ equips over 10,000 youth with installation skills

SES HD PLUS, a premium satellite broadcast service provider and marketer of the HD+ TV service, has ended its HD+ Installer Training Programme for the first half of 2023.

Since embarking on this initiative and its establishment in Ghana in 2020, the company had trained and opened employment opportunities for over 10,000 youth.

This installer programme falls in line with the company’s goal to create employment opportunities in Ghana and ensure HD+ users have their HD+ devices and accompanying satellite equipment professionally installed by accredited technicians.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of its recent training programme, which saw 2000 youth pass out successfully, CEO of SES HD PLUS, Adelaide Abbiw-Williams congratulated them on their achievement while encouraging them to go out there and make a difference.

”Since SES HD PLUS was launched in Ghana, our desire has not only been to give our subscribers the FeeliFeeli experience of quality HD TV viewing experiences, but to also be at the forefront of accelerating socio-economic growth.

‘Critical to us is the transfer of our knowledge about the latest trends and innovations in satellite TV broadcasting and applying that to develop the skills and knowledge of our local partners, satellite technicians, and dealers to empower local businesses and communities economically.

‘So far, we have trained over 2000 installers in 22 towns across the country since March this year, and this brings us to a total of about 10,000 installers trained thus far.

Andrews Allottey, a beneficiary of the training programme, thanked HD+ for the opportunity. ”It is tough to make ends meet nowadays, but learning a trade offers one a competitive advantage.

‘That is the opportunity and advantage HD+ has given me and countless others throughout this period. We thank HD+ for the critical role they play in Ghana’s socio-economic development.

‘For HD+ subscribers, I want to assure them that with what we have learned, their devices will be in capable hands. HD+ has really given us the FeeliFeeliexperience, and we will surely pass that on to them,” he stated.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Volta joins UNFPA Eighth Country Programme

The Volta region has joined the United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) Eighth Country Programme, which runs from 2023 to 2028.

The Region was a beneficiary of the Seventh Country Programme, which has just ended and has been selected for the Eighth Country Programme as an implementing partner for the Government of Ghana.

Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, Volta Regional Minister, commended the UNFPA for the selection and assured that everything necessary would be done to ensure the success of the Eighth Country Programme.

He thanked the Fund for its significant and unceasing support and partnership with the Government in the campaign in improving sexual and reproductive health and advocacy on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).

Dr Letsa also commended the Sub-Implementing Partners and the Development Partners for their contributions to the development and growth of the region.

The Minister said the Volta Region was poised to reduce sexual and gender-based violence, child marriage and maternal mortality and called for support from all.

Mr Vitus Atanga, Programme Officer at the UNFPA, speaking to the media during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting, expressed joy at the high level of interest shown in the programme by the region.

The success stories shared by the various implementing partners, he said, have demonstrated that the Fund’s support was making a significant impact in the lives of the beneficiaries.

He called on the media to support the Fund with advocacy, creating awareness to ensure that adolescent girls and boys were empowered to live the healthy life the nation desired.

The programme officer said it was important to work together to ensure that the education and career progression of the adolescents, especially girls were not truncated, because’ we want to see our girls grow and fulfil their potential.’

Mrs Thywill Eyra Kpe, Volta Regional Director Department of Gender disclosed that myths and misconceptions about family planning were a great challenge they encountered during the implementation of the Seventh Country Programme.

Other challenges, she said, include inadequate monitoring and a supervisory visit to districts and facilities due to lack of vehicles, and lack of adolescent and youth-friendly playing and educational materials in most of the districts.

Mr Augustus Kwaku Awity, Chief Director of the VRCC told Ghana News Agency that especially attention would be given to districts with high levels of SGBV, child marriage and teenage pregnancy during the implementation of the Eighth Country Programme.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Sanitation Minister visits communities under GARID Project

Madam Cecilia Abena Dapaah, Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources has paid familiarisation visits to a number of communities under the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project in some districts.

The visit, which was meant to acquaint her with the flooding challenges facing the people, took her to Madina, Pantang, Ofankor, Agbogbloshie, Glefe and Korle Dudor.

She interacted with market women, drivers and food vendors to sensitise them on disaster preparedness activities and good sanitation.

In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Madam Dapaah gave assurance that the government would support them to alleviate or overcome their challenges.

She said the GARID was designed to address most of the flooding and sanitation challenges, especially in the targeted vulnerable communities along the Odaw River Basin.

The Minister said her Ministry’s components in the project were to improve flood risk and solid waste management in the Odaw River, improve access to basic social services in the targeted areas and the low-lying communities, hence the need for district assemblies to pay more attention to good sanitation in their areas.

She said Ghanaians continued to suffer the burden of communicable diseases due to poor hygiene and illegal dumping of refuse into drains and stressed the need for the assemblies to evolve strategies that would reduce if not eradicate the effects of the menace in the country.

Mrs Theodora Adomako-Adjei, Head of the Community Water and Sanitation Services in the La-Nkwatanang-Madina Municipal Assembly who took the Minister around the Madina Market, later briefed her on good hygiene and sanitation practices being undertaken in the area.

Madam Elizabeth Kwatsoe Sackey, the Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive, who accompanied the Minister urged the people at Agbogbloshie to take the responsibility to ensure good sanitation and also adhere to all the environmental laws to avoid prosecution.

Source: Ghana News Agency