HOUSTON, Sept. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Cyberonics, Inc. (CYBX), a global leader in medical devices for the treatment and management of epilepsy, today announced an initial investment of 2 million in cerbomed GmbH ("cerbomed"). Based in Erlangen, Germany, cerbomed is a privately-held company developing a non-invasive neurostimulation device for the treatment of epilepsy. The NEMOS t-VNS device received CE Mark approval for the treatment of epilepsy and depression in 2010 and for pain in 2012 and is now commercially available in Germany and Austria.
The investment in cerbomed can total up to 5.5 million, subject to the achievement of certain clinical milestones. Cyberonics is a minority shareholder with certain rights, including representation on cerbomed's advisory board and an exclusive option for worldwide sales and distribution of the NEMOSsystem for the treatment of epilepsy. The initial investment will be used to fund cerbomed's current clinical trial in epilepsy in Germany. Subject to certain conditions, Cyberonics has the option to conduct a trial in the U.S. for the purpose of seeking FDA approval.
"As a company focused on device solutions for epilepsy, an investment in cerbomed's technology is aligned with our strategic priorities and core expertise," said Dan Moore, Cyberonics' President and Chief Executive Officer. "We are excited about the opportunity to invest in a technology that may provide more patients with epilepsy another device-based therapeutic option and opportunity for improved quality of life."
Andreas Hartlep, cerbomed's Chief Executive Officer, added, "We are delighted to welcome Cyberonics, the world market leader in vagus nerve stimulation, as our strategic global partner for the epilepsy indication. We look forward to our collaboration and continuing to understand how transcutaneous and implantable vagus nerve stimulation may be complementary technologies and provide benefit to patients."
About Cyberonics, Inc. and the VNS Therapy System
Cyberonics, Inc. is a medical technology company with core expertise in neuromodulation. The company developed and markets the VNS Therapy System, which is FDA-approved for the treatment of medically refractory epilepsy and treatment-resistant depression. The VNS Therapy System is a medical device that delivers pulsed electrical signals to the vagus nerve and is implanted during an outpatient procedure. Cyberonics markets the VNS Therapy System in selected markets worldwide.
Additional information on Cyberonics and the VNS Therapy System is available at http://www.cyberonics.com.
About cerbomed GmbH
Cerbomed is a privately-held medical device company that has developed a neurostimulation device, NEMOS, for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy. Cerbomed is developing its transcutaneous (non-invasive) vagus nerve stimulation technology, t-VNS, for a variety of other neurological disorders, including depression and migraine, as well.
Cerbomed's lead investor, MIG AG, is one of Germany's largest venture capital funds. Other investors include state-owned KfW Banking Group and S-Refit AG. Additional information on cerbomed and the NEMOS t-VNS technology is available at http://www.cerbomed.com.
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Cyberonics Announces Investment In cerbomed GmbH