“Being able to talk to patients and faculty members who are experts in this field has the great advantage of being a medical student.
“We conducted our first human clinical trial in 2013. It took a while because the balloon is so innovative. It is made from a thin film that can be compressed and folded into capsules. But it’s stable and durable enough to get into the stomach for 4 months. It took a fair amount of R.&D. “
Allurion’s Chief Commercial Officer Benoit Chardon and CEO Shantanu Gaur are expanding into Australia.
Allurion has also created an app and a 6-month program designed to help people learn a healthy diet and track exercise, sleep, and general activity. It is designed to allow the patient to maintain results after the balloon has melted.
The company received its first regulatory approval in 2015 with the European CE Mark approval of Elipse Balloon and was approved by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Department in April last year.
A study of 1623 patients across 19 weight loss centers in 17 countries found that those who participated in the program using ellipse balloons lost an average of 12.8 kilograms.
Another study, which followed 500 patients in the 12 months after the balloon lysed, found that 95% maintained weight loss.
“Balloons are designed to help you lose weight at first, but the rest are designed to help you lose weight over the long term,” said Dr. Gaur.
“Some patients may regain weight, others may want to lose additional weight, and for those patients they always come back and pick up another balloon. You can put in. People who have lost more than 20% of their weight. “
According to the latest figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 67% of Australian adults are obese or overweight, and these numbers are increasing.
Allurion’s Elipse Balloons cost up to $ 7,000 and are non-refundable under Medicare or private health insurance.
Allurion began quietly expanding into Australia last year, registering Adelaide-based obesity surgeon Dr. George Balalis as the region’s first specialist.
Allurion trains all practitioners and clinical support staff who provide balloons and tracks weight loss results for all patients via the app.
Currently, there are 15 clinics in Australia, and Allurion’s Chief Commercial Officer, Benoit Chardon, says there are nearly 10 people, including a sales manager working in Australia.
“Australia is exactly like any other market. The rate of obesity is high … and this innovation is consistent with patient outcomes-people want safe and effective products,” he said. Told.
“Accounts are selective. We want patients to have some care. In Australia, we start with obesity surgeons, but in other countries, obesity surgeons to get best-in-class results. It turns out that it doesn’t have to be.
“What we don’t want is a clinic that provides this to one patient every three months. We want people who are completely devoted to it.”
The company has raised $ 80 million to date and is backed by Novalis LifeSciences, Romulus Capital, IDO Investments, and former Covidien CEO Jose Almeida.
It was ranked as one of the fastest growing companies in the United States. Financial TimesIncreasing revenue from $ 3.2 million in 2017 to $ 20.5 million in 2020.
“Allurion is creating a whole new category. They have tried everything else, but they are patients who have had surgery and do not want permanent change,” Chardon said.
According to Dr. Gaur, the company predicts that 4.3% of the world’s population will consider using Ellipse Balloon, but the company offers the option of not having to lose weight and benefiting from just using the app. I also want to do it. Those who need a 6-month program or ultimately surgery.
“In our vision, patients are part of the ecosystem and connect them to the right type of treatment at the right time. Obesity is a declining and flowing chronic problem,” Dr. Gaur said. rice field.
