Urotronic, Inc., a Minnesota based medical device company, today announced the first Optilume^® Drug Coated Balloon procedure for the treatment of urethral stricture, was successfully performed in Hong Kong by Clinical Assistant Professor, Dr. Wayne Lam of The University of Hong Kong.

Following the successful procedure, Dr. Lam commented, "The procedure went straightforward and is easily reproducible. It gives us great pleasure to be able to offer patients in Hong Kong, and across Asia, this novel technology as part of our treatment service for urethral stricture. With the potential of fewer recurrences that is often seen with existing endoscopic treatment options, the Optilume^® Drug Coated Balloon provides an opportunity to innovate patient care for urethral stricture disease whilst providing benefits to the health system realized through prevention of interventions required to manage the condition."

Urethral stricture is relatively common, and in many instances debilitating disease estimated to effect over a 6 million men throughout Asia alone suffering with debilitating urethral strictures¹. The condition blocks the pathway for urine to exit the body from the bladder and can result in a painful, frustrating slowing of the urinary system. Strictures can be caused by infections, trauma, and other medical procedures that injure the lining of the urethra and can significantly impact patients' quality of life. Multiple endoscopic treatments of the same stricture are proven to lead to progressively worsening outcomes, recurrence, and retreatment. After a third endoscopic treatment, the failure rate approaches 100% two-years post-treatment².

Optilume^® combines balloon dilation to open the urethral stricture with the delivery of an anti-proliferative drug to prevent recurrence of the blockage. Published two-year clinical follow up data³ highlighted that Optilume^® performed as intended in both opening blockages and preventing the formation of scar tissue, which can develop quickly following traditional endoscopic intervention. This minimally invasive technology is expected to have a significant impact in the urology community, offering a new treatment option for urethral strictures that traditionally may require major surgery or need frequent endoscopic retreatment.

Dr. Lam continued to add, "We look forward to welcoming suitable patients from across Asia. Early data in clinical trials of the Optilume^® Drug Coated Balloon are very encouraging, with a reported 81% of patients free from repeat intervention, including self-catheterization, at 24 months³. Longer term comparison study data is expected to be published in the future which will determine the long-term efficacy of the technology versus existing treatment options."