After the successful closing of the clinical phase III study with the LiMAx test in September 2015, Humedics submitted the application for marketing authorization of the diagnostic agent in April 2016. Submission was performed via the Decentralized Procedure in Germany, UK and Austria, with Germany being the reference member state.
The “Fast-track LiveR” Trial with the investigational diagnostic agent 13C-Methacetin Solution for infusion was set up to demonstrate the positive impact of LiMAx test on patient management and diagnostic thinking related to postoperative management in patients undergoing partial liver resection.
Erwin de Buijzer, CEO of Humedics GmbH, stated: “After the successful closing of our phase III study we focused all of our efforts on preparing the marketing authorization dossier. This submission represents a breakthrough for the commercialization of our LiMAx test.”
The recent submission for marketing authorization represents another milestone in the dynamic development of the company. After closing a series C financing round end of 2014 and the successful CE certification of the FLIP medical device in 2015, Humedics’ team now focusses on the preparation of a successful European market entry of the diagnostic agent for the LiMAx test.
The LiMAx test, in combination with the corresponding FLIP device and the diagnostic drug offers a clinically proven significant added value for patients with liver diseases and liver surgery. The LiMAx test is already being used in 17 top-tier university clinics in Europe.
LiMAx Test
The underlying principle of the LiMAx test involves the following steps: Firstly, the diagnostic drug solution is administered intravenously and the drug is metabolized in the liver to paracetamol and 13CO2. The latter is exhaled in the breath. The exhaled air is collected via a respiratory mask. Subsequent continuous measurement of 13CO2 in the patients’ breath using laser detection in the FLIP device provides a quantitative determination of the liver capacity and thus reflects the liver function.
Fast-track LiveR Trial
Fast-track LiveR was a prospective, randomized, controlled, multi-centric, phase III study for the early identification of low-risk patients after partial liver resection with the LiMAx test. The LiMAx test determines the actual liver function in real-time. The test includes the application of the diagnostic investigational medicinal product, 13C-Methacetin Solution for infusion and a breath test involving the use of Humedics’ FLIP device for measurement and analysis. 148 patients with different types of liver tumors and designated for open liver surgery were included in the study. Two study arms had been set up; each enrolling more than 70 patients. The LiMAx group was subject to a perioperative patient management according to the fast-track procedure. This included a pre- and postsurgical analysis of the liver function with the LiMAx test. In the control group the perioperative patient management was performed according to current clinical standards. The trial was conducted at six study centers in Germany and was completed in September 2015.