FARCO-PHARMA takes over Purenum GmbH with its certified mediNiK® hydrogel system for the effective removal of kidney stone fragments. The new subsidiary of FARCO-PHARMA expands the urology portfolio with an innovative medical product.
Cologne, 06.14.2023. FARCO-PHARMA, a Klosterfrau Healthcare Group company, acquires Purenum GmbH, which was founded in 2017. The spin-off from the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Applied Materials Research (IFAM) in Bremen will operate as a fully-owned subsidiary of FARCO-PHARMA and will continue to work in the field of research and development. The first certified medical device by Purenum GmbH, mediNiK®, represents a significant advance in the endoscopic removal of kidney stone grafts: The two-component gel encloses even the smallest kidney stone fragments (< millimeter) and thus ensures effective stone fragment retrieval. While reliable results could not be achieved hitherto, there is now a solution: mediNiK®. The medical hydrogel does not become attached to surgical instruments or the sensitive renal mucosa. It is biocompatible, and it enables the endoscopic removal of even the smallest remnants of kidney stones. MediNiK® thus fulfills a long overdue medical need. This is because smaller kidney stone fragments often remain in the kidney after an operation because they are too small for the grasping instruments (< millimeter). However, these can continue to be a burden on the body, as larger stones can form again, which can lead to renewed discomfort.
The key to being stone-free
In Germany, three to five percent of the population suffer from kidney stones.1 For those affected, mediNiK® is the key to being stone-free. The current S2k guideline on the diagnosis, treatment, and metaphylaxis of urolithiasis sets out which treatment is indicated in each case. The treatment methods of first choice are extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL), percutaneous nephrolitholapaxy (PNL), and flexible ureterorenoscopy (URS). Crushed kidney stones may remain. mediNiK® hydrogel is used in flexible URS. It can embed the residual stones within seconds and make them removable using the grasping methods used in flexible URS. “The product mediNiK® and the development work of the Purenum team have impressed and convinced us so much that we, as FARCO-PHARMA together with Purenum, are very pleased to be able to develop and provide the helpful product mediNiK® globally. The addition of this innovative product to our portfolio opens up new opportunities for us to revolutionize and sustainably improve the treatment of patients with kidney stones. We are delighted to continue investing in research with the Purenum team and thus work consistently on optimizing patient care,” commented Dr. Marc Vollenbröker, Managing Director of FARCO-PHARMA GmbH.
Safe application in three steps
mediNiK® works in such a way that the two components of the hydrogel are delivered one after the other via the catheter, which is inserted into the working channel of the endoscope. In the first step, the blue component of mediNiK® encloses the stone grit. In the second step, the yellow component of the gel is added so that a soft, cohesive gel is formed in a matter of seconds, which encloses the stone residue. It is so stable that it can be grasped by the doctor using a grasping instrument, after which the kidney stone fragments are completely removed: Using a grasping instrument, the doctor carefully withdraws the stone fragments, which have been “packaged” together in the gel. It is not necessary to grasp the whole hydrogel package. It is sufficient to grasp it at the tip and slowly pull it out. Another plus point: The hydrogel can then be dissolved again quickly and easily if the stone composition needs to be analyzed.
About mediNiK®
The approval of mediNiK® symbolizes Purenum GmbH’s commitment to creating a high-quality medical product from a research idea. The project was funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) as part of the GO-Bio Initiative. The aim was to utilize the gel’s potential in such a way that as many patients as possible could benefit from it. The result is the certified two-component hydrogel, which enables even the smallest kidney stone fragments to be removed from the kidney. “FARCO-PHARMA is the ideal partner for Purenum thanks to its many years of experience in the field of urological gels and the resulting trust of medical specialists,” says Manfred Peschka, Managing Director of Purenum GmbH.
About FARCO-PHARMA
FARCO-PHARMA has been a reliable partner in urology for almost 60 years. The company’s product portfolio includes high-quality lubricants and instillation solutions for urological use.
Quellen:
1 Klein S, Kidney stones. Status 2019. Online: https://.gelbe-liste.de last accessed on: 06.14.2023
Video on how mediNiK® works
