French health authority HAS approves Forfait Innovation application by Retina Implant AG
(Reutlingen, Germany/Saint-Denis, France) – French health authority HAS (Haute Autorite de Sante) has just approved the Forfait Innovation application by Retina Implant AG to assess the benefits of its RETINA IMPLANT Alpha AMS subretinal implant. The procedure evaluates innovative technologies in the healthcare sector to quickly make them available to patients. As part of the Forfait Innovation process, over a two-year period the costs will be covered for the implant and treatment of a limited number of patients who perceive little or no light. Retina Implant AG fund the costs for the accompanying study, which is examining the impact of the implant on participants` daily lives (Impact on daily life of patients using the subretinal implant RETINA IMPLANT Alpha AMS).
Following the successful conclusion of the study, the implant will be added to the list of approved services of health insurance companies in France. As a result of the reimbursement, an innovative technology can be made available to patients with the hereditary retinal disease retinitis pigmentosa (RP), which leads to total blindness in the final stage. Although RP is a rare disease, some 130,000 people suffer from it in Europe alone. The subretinal implant is virtually invisible except for a small transponder fixed behind the ear. The implant can partially restore the sight of blind people suffering from RP. This means a large proportion of patients can make out light sources with the RETINA IMPLANT Alpha AMS and thus find their way around a room, for example.
„For some time now, work has been in progress to focus attention on the practical benefits for visually impaired people in their everyday lives, alongside standard sight measurements. We`re delighted this study is taking particular account of this aspect,“ explains Jürgen Klein, Sales and Marketing Director at Retina Implant AG. „France is therefore taking a leading role in Europe in evaluating subretinal implants.“ The study will be performed in close cooperation between the university hospital CHU Montpellier for screening and patient follow-up and the implantation centre Clinique St Jean in Montpellier for the surgery, with further centres planned.
About Retina Implant AG
Retina Implant AG researches and develops innovative treatments and high-tech products for people suffering from retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The subretinal RETINA IMPLANT Alpha AMS can help blind patients regain a certain degree of useful sight. The CE-approved microchip is implanted beneath the retina (subretinally) at specialist RI implantation centres.
Transcorneal electrical stimulation (TES treatment) with the RI OkuStim® system offers RP patients with sufficient residual vision the opportunity to slow down the progression of the disease.
The company, based in Reutlingen, employs around 45 people and is managed by Reinhard Rubow (CEO and speaker of the Management Board), Jürgen Klein (Member of the Board, Sales & Marketing) and Dr. Alfred Stett (CTO, Member of the Board).
Company-Contact
Retina Implant AG
Ines Wülker
Gerhard-Kindler-Str. 13
72770 Reutlingen
Phone: + 49 71 21 3 64 03 – 289
E-Mail: ines.wuelker@retina-implant.de
Url: http://implant.de
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