Bridge to Life Buys VitaSmart Perfusion System from Medica S.p.A.

Bridge to Life, a developer of organ preservation solutions and perfusion technology, has acquired the VitaSmart hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion system from Medica S.p.A.

This agreement also includes exclusive, global trademark rights as well as the ability to register the VitaSmart name worldwide.

Bridge to Life said the acquisition marks a significant milestone in its efforts to advance transplant medicine. More than 5,000 successful liver perfusions have been done worldwide using hypothermic pxygenated perfusion (HOPE) in combination with the VitaSmart system.

“We are thrilled to now own the VitaSmart Hypothermic Oxygenated Machine Perfusion System, a proven technology that has empowered European clinicians to implement HOPE protocols with ease and efficiency,” said Don Webber, CEO and president of Bridge to Life. “The system’s user-friendly design and minimal monitoring requirements make it a game-changer for organ preservation.”

Webber also said the company is in the final stages of preparing its U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) submission for VitaSmart. The company is targeting the first quarter of 2025 for approval.

“The results from the one-year patient follow-up on our pivotal U.S. study are complete and we are extremely impressed with the clinical outcomes, including demonstrated statistical superiority between study and control arms for the primary endpoint (Early Allograft Dysfunction) and shorter length of hospital stay following transplantation,” Webber said. “This acquisition positions us to expand access to this transformative technology for U.S. transplant centers, organ procurement organizations, and, most importantly, patients awaiting viable livers.  Full ownership of VitaSmart enhances our enterprise value and strengthens our ability to meet global demand.”