M.I. Tech, a global leader in gastrointestinal stents, announced on Wednesday that it has become the first company in South Korea to receive approval from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for four types of biodegradable stents designed for pets.
The approved products, marketed under the brand name Fauna Stent, include four varieties designed for use in the esophagus, trachea, bile duct, and urethra/ureter.
These innovative stents are used to treat stenosis and obstruction in pets, utilizing biodegradable materials that naturally dissolve in the body over time.
Fauna Stent was developed to address the clinical challenges associated with traditional metal stents. Nitinol metal stents, which remain in the body permanently, can lead to complications such as tissue overgrowth, stent fracture, and migration, often requiring additional surgery for removal.
In contrast, Fauna Stent uses bioabsorbable polymers from the polydioxanone and poly-lactic acid copolymer family. These materials naturally break down in the body, eliminating the need for removal surgery and allowing for easier re-treatment if stenosis recurs.
The stents feature a proprietary cis-core monofilament structure and a hook & cross-braiding technique. This dual-structure design enhances both strength and flexibility, while the unique braiding method improves stent loading performance and in-body fixation. Optional drug-release technology can be incorporated to reduce inflammation and prevent stenosis.
Kwak Jae-o, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of M.I. Tech, stated that Fauna Stent represents a fundamental solution to the problems posed by traditional metal stents, both in terms of materials and structure. It’s committed to continually improving the technology based on the data gathered from this groundbreaking approval of four distinct products.