Rapid Medical’s Tigertriever Thrombectomy Device Gains Approval in China

August 31, 2023—Rapid Medical, an Israel-based developer of neurovascular devices, announced that the company’s Tigertriever revascularization device has received approval from China’s National Medical Product Administration. Rapid Medical holds an exclusive distribution agreement with MicroPort NeuroTech, a subsidiary of MicroPort Scientific Corporation, which is headquartered in China.

Tigertriever provides patient-specific solutions for removing blood clots from the brain in the treatment of ischemic stroke, stated the company.

“This new approval for Tigertriever propels treatment for ischemic stroke patients in China,” commented Ronen Eckhouse, cofounder and CEO of Rapid Medical, in the company’s press release. “We are fortunate to have an excellent partner with MicroPort Scientific Corporation, who understand the need to expand neurointerventional capabilities and individualized stroke care for these patients.”

Zhiyong Xie, President of MicroPort NeuroTech, stated in Rapid Medical’s press release, “The successful launch of Tigertriever in China represents another stroke intervention innovation that can be applied in the real world, introducing the concept of tailored thrombectomy using an adjustable stent retriever that allows physicians to navigate procedures and unexpected circumstances with added control. Tigertriever provides Chinese physicians with a new choice of neurological intervention medical devices that will benefit more patients.”

According to Rapid Medical, Tigertriever technology enables precise control during mechanical thrombectomy, providing an active approach that accelerates clot capture and potentially reduces the risk of vascular injury during removal.

In March 2021, FDA clearance of the device, supported by results of the TIGER trial, was announced by the company.

Results of the TIGER trial were presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2021. The study was also published by Rishi Gupta, MD, et al online in Stroke (2021;52:1534-1544).

Rapid Medical stated that the multicenter TIGER trial demonstrated three statistically significant improvements—in restoring blood flow to the brain, good clinical outcomes, and reducing emboli to new territory—compared to an average from six pivotal stent retriever trials. Additionally, the TIGER trial showed fast procedure times, on par with aspiration alone, driven by a very high rate of first-pass success.

Tigertriever was introduced in Europe in 2016.