Boston Scientific expands into Endobariatrics with launch of Apollo ESG System & Orbera365 Intragastric Balloon System

New Delhi: Boston Scientific Corporation has announced its entry into the endobariatrics segment with the launch of the Apollo ESG™ System and Orbera365™ Intragastric Balloon System in India.

The Apollo ESG™ system enables the endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) procedure, an incision-free weight loss procedure that significantly reduces stomach volume, offering a less invasive alternative to surgery for patients with obesity.

The Multicenter Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty Randomized Interventional Trial (MERIT) study – a pivotal clinical trial conducted in the US to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of ESG for treatment of Class I and Class II Obesity – reported significant, sustained weight loss over two years, with 49% excess body weight loss at 12 months.

Other findings of the study include 68% of patients maintaining most of their excess weight loss at two years. 92% of Type 2 Diabetes patients show clinical improvement due to resultant weight loss at one year. 67% of hypertension patients experience significant improvement due to resultant weight loss at one year.

This procedure uses the Apollo ESG™ System to create a sleeve-like structure within the stomach using an endoscopic suturing device. Under general anesthesia, a specially trained gastroenterologist or surgeon places six to eight stiches along the greater curvature of the stomach, reducing its volume by 70-80%. This not only limits food intake but also delays gastric emptying, helping patients feel full sooner and supporting long-term weight loss.

Key features of the Apollo ESG™ System includes that procedure is entirely endoscopic, leaving no visible marks or scars. Patients are typically discharged within one or two days of the procedure. ESG preserves key stomach structures and provides flexibility for future treatments.

The Apollo ESG™ System is both US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) authorized for this procedure

The Apollo ESG System is part of Boston Scientific’s portfolio of devices to help patients manage their weight, which also includes the Orbera365™ Intragastric Balloon System, a non-surgical weight loss solution that works by placing a soft, saline-filled balloon in the stomach. The balloon encourages portion control and thus promotes reduced calorie intake. Over 400,000 Orbera365™ balloons have been used worldwide, with more than 20 years of clinical history supporting its efficacy.^[2]

The Orbera365™ System is indicated by CDSCO for temporary use for weight loss in obese patients (BMI 30-50) who failed to achieve and maintain weight loss with a supervised weight-control program. Orbera365™ System is now used to assist patients with weight loss in over 80 countries.

“We are pleased to introduce the Apollo ESG™ System and Orbera365^TM to physicians in India. These innovative, less invasive procedures offer patients a safe, effective and less disruptive path to achieving their weight loss goals,” said Madan R. Krishnan, vice president and managing director, APAC Growth Markets, Boston Scientific. “With the growing incidence of obesity in India, this system provides a much-needed option for patients who may not qualify for traditional bariatric surgery but are still looking for a solution to manage their weight.”

According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) 2019-21 report, adult obesity prevalence in India is significant, with 22.9% of women and 19.5% of men aged 15-49 years being overweight, and 6.4% of women and 3.7% of men being obese.