Merit’s Embosphere Approved in Europe for Genicular Artery Embolization to Treat Knee Osteoarthritis

September 15, 2025—Merit Medical Systems, Inc. announced that its Embosphere microspheres are now indicated in the European Union for use in genicular artery embolization (GAE) to treat patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

The company stated that GAE, which selectively reduces blood flow to the inflamed synovium, offers meaningful reductions in knee pain, improves joint function and mobility, and has the potential to delay or avoid surgical intervention.

“OA can be very debilitating, impacting patient quality of life,” commented Professor Mark Little, MBBS, in Merit’s press release. “GAE is a nonsurgical option that provides fast and lasting pain relief in patients with mild to moderate OA.”

Prof. Little continued, “CE Mark of Embosphere for GAE presents an exciting opportunity to advance this treatment option and further interventionalists’ ability to offer the positive results they expect from the procedure.”

Prof. Little is Consultant Interventional Radiologist and Director of Radiology Research at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust in Reading, United Kingdom.

According to Merit, data on file with the company showed the following:

• > 75% of patients treated with Embosphere for GAE achieved clinical success with significant reductions in knee pain sustained through 24 months.
• Embosphere was associated with a decrease in pain-medication use and improvements in quality-of-life measures.
• Compared to corticosteroid injections, GAE with Embosphere achieved consistently higher clinical success, with greater improvements at 3 months in pain and quality of life.

Additionally, Embosphere has shown long-term performance treating uterine fibroids, arteriovenous malformations, and benign prostatic hyperplasia, noted the company.