Start-Up Spotlight: Arkis BioSciences, Endexo-Boosted Ventricular Drainage Catheter Reduces Obstructions

Unlike traditional catheters that drain cerebrospinal fluid from the brain to relieve pressure when treating intracranial hypertension in an intensive care unit (ICU) setting, the CerebroFlo external ventricular drainage (EVD) catheter from Arkis BioSciences Inc. has the added benefit of being impregnated with Endexo (developed by Canadian-based Interface Biologics Inc.), an antiocculsive agent previously commercialized for vascular access catheters.

“Endexo is not a drug-eluting catheter, which is an advantage,” Arkis CEO Chad Seaver told Medtech Insight. “Endexo is a polymer additive. It is not a coating that depletes over...