Month: April 2025

A HUGE congratulations to Duncan for this amazing achievement, we are so grateful you chose to support the OPA in your wonderful fundraising efforts! 

“This was my third London Marathon, and for the first time, I secured a spot through the ballot—without any obligation to run for charity. However, after losing my dad suddenly last year to Oesophageal cancer, I felt compelled to do something meaningful. I researched the OPA Cancer Charity and knew immediately that raising awareness and funds for this devastating disease would be the right cause.

The crowd support throughout the course was absolutely world-class—every detail was so well-organized, from the start to the finish line. And, as a bonus, the sun was shining! ☀️

I definitely had to dig deep around mile 20, but when I reached mile 24, seeing my daughter and partner waiting for me was a moment I’ll never forget. We shared a few memorable moments together before I crossed that finish line.

I know Dad/Grandad would have been incredibly proud, looking down on us.

Now, I’m looking forward to a few days of rest before diving back into my fitness training routine!☺️” – Duncan McLaren

Duncan McLaren image
3 of us at end mara
approaching mile 24,25
Screenshot
mile 24,5
pic of for dad back of charity running top
duncan
my medal

Implantica AG (publ.), a medtech company at the forefront of introducing advanced technology into the body, including the unique device RefluxStop™ for the treatment of acid reflux, a treatment field with 1 billion sufferers, announces another Center of Excellence in Spain to offer RefluxStop™, H. Univ. Marqués de Valdecilla, in Cantabria region in Spain.

The leading surgeon, Dra. Sonia Castanedo, recently performed the first RefluxStop™ procedures at H. Univ. Marqués de Valdecilla in Santander, Cantabria, Spain. Dra. Castanedo was supported by Dra. Marisol Trugeda and Surgery Manager, Dr. Juan Carlos Rodríguez San Juan.

  1. Univ. Marqués de Valdecilla is the flagship hospital of Cantabria, situated in northern Spain. The hospital was founded nearly 100 years ago and today is a leading center for research focused on innovative new therapies like RefluxStop™.

Dra. Castanedo says, “The RefluxStop™ procedure makes a durable surgical treatment for GERD available to a whole new group of patients who were previously not candidates for traditional anti-reflux surgery. The published results of the RefluxStop™ procedure are extraordinary, and I have experienced them firsthand now. Many of my patients have struggled with severe GERD, which has become a really punishing disease. It’s really great to finally have a surgical treatment I can offer to my patients in the Cantabria region.”

CEO and founder of Implantica, Dr. Peter Forsell, says, “It’s truly promising to see the quickly growing demand for RefluxStop™ from leading surgeons such as Dra. Castanedo and the team at H. Univ. Marqués de Valdecilla. As a surgeon myself, I support her drive to answer the urgent call for a surgical procedure that works for these patients, who have had too few treatment options for too many years.”

Dr. Forsell continues, “Approximately 15% of the adult population in Spain suffers from GERD1 and for about 40% of them, medication won’t stop the painful symptoms of the disease.2 This leaves a massive need for a well working surgical treatment, which until now was only available to a select few GERD patients. RefluxStop™ does not encircle the food passageway thus making it available to countless more GERD patients who need relief. I can’t wait to see how this makes a difference for patients in Cantabria and beyond.”

  1. Ponce J, Vegazo O, Beltrán B, Jiménez J, Zapardiel J, Calle D, Piqué JM; Iberge Study Group. Prevalence of gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in Spain and associated factors. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2006 Jan 1;23(1):175-84. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2006.02733.x. PMID: 16393295.
  2. Kahrilas PJ, Boeckxstaens G, Smout AJ. Management of the patient with incomplete response to PPI therapy. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2013 Jun;27(3):401-14. doi: 10.1016/j.bpg.2013.06.005. PMID: 23998978; PMCID: PMC3761380.

For further information, please contact:
Nicole Pehrsson, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer
Telephone (CH): +41 (0)79 335 09 49
nicole.pehrsson@implantica.com

Implantica is listed on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market in Stockholm.

The company’s Certified Adviser is FNCA Sweden AB, info@fnca.se

The information was sent for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, on April 23, 2025, at 08:00 a.m. (CET).

About Implantica
Implantica is a medtech group dedicated to bringing advanced technology into the body. Implantica’s lead product, RefluxStop™, is a CE-marked implant for the prevention of gastroesophageal reflux that will potentially create a paradigm shift in anti-reflux treatment as supported by successful clinical trial results. Implantica also focuses on eHealth inside the body and has developed a broad, patent protected, product pipeline based partly on two platform technologies: an eHealth platform designed to monitor a broad range of health parameters, control treatment from inside the body and communicate to the caregiver on distance and a wireless energizing platform designed to power remote-controlled implants wirelessly through intact skin. Implantica is listed on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market (ticker: IMP A SDB). Visit www.implantica.com for further information.

About RefluxStop™
RefluxStop™ is a new innovative treatment that has the potential to spur a paradigm shift in anti-reflux surgery. It’s unique mechanism of action differentiates it from standard of care and current surgical solutions. Longer established surgical options for GORD involve encircling the food passageway to support the lower oesophageal sphincter’s closing mechanism and are commonly associated with side effects such as swallowing difficulties, pain when swallowing and inability to belch and/or vomit.

In contrast, the RefluxStop™ device treats the cause of acid reflux without encircling and putting pressure on the food passageway. It restores and maintains the lower oesophageal sphincter in its original, natural position.

The RefluxStop™ mechanism of action is focused on reconstructing all three components of the anti-reflux barrier, that if compromised could possibly result in acid reflux. It restores and supports the natural anatomical physiology of the body allowing the body to itself solve the problem with acid reflux.

This article is from- Implantica opens a new RefluxStop™ center in a new region of Spain, addressing the fast-growing demand – Implantica

Message from Sozanne Li, Jack’s Wife

“In loving memory of my one of a kind Dad – Tsapman Li who bravely battled Oesophageal Cancer for just over 2 years. My Husband- Jack Feltham, Sister- Suki and Friend- Matt will be taking part in the Yorkshire Three Peaks Trek (25 miles trek / a total climb of 1,585 metres) to raise money for OPA Cancer Charity.

Oesophageal cancer is the 10th most common cancer worldwide, and the 7th most common cause of cancer death around the world. Despite being so common, it is not as well-known as many other cancer types – and advanced oesophageal cancer can be aggressive and difficult to treat.

OPA Cancer Charity offered my family and Dad support and advice during this difficult time and we would love to support them so that they are able to continue providing these essential services.

Anything that you can donate to this page will make a huge difference.

Love you Dad, Miss you so much”

Nicholas Penney, Consultant Oesophagogastric Surgeon and Robotics Specialist at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NNUH), will be a featured speaker at the upcoming AfPP Robotics Symposium being held at NNUH on Wednesday, June 11.

His session, titled “Development of an Oesophagogastric Robotic Service”, will explore the establishment of the robotic surgery programme at NNUH, the challenges faced, and the valuable insights gained along the way. Additionally, he will present a case study detailing the hospital’s first robotic-assisted oesophagectomy.

Leading the future of robotic surgery

Nicholas has recently been appointed as the Training Programme Director for Robotic Surgery for the East of England, where he will play a vital role in mentoring and training the next generation of robotic surgeons. His expertise in advanced laparoscopic and robotic surgery includes oesophagogastric cancer treatment, gallbladder disease, hiatus hernia repair, anti-reflux surgery, and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Since joining NNUH as a Consultant Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeon in 2023, Nicholas has been instrumental in expanding the hospital’s robotic surgical capabilities. After qualifying from Imperial College London, he undertook higher surgical training in Surrey and Sussex. He gained further expertise in oesophagogastric cancer resections at the Royal Surrey County Hospital and the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle upon Tyne, one of Europe’s largest oesophagogastric cancer centres. During his time in Newcastle, he completed a Fellowship in Robotic Surgery under Professor Immanuel.

This article is from National Worl, click here to continue reading.

“My mum who is aged 84 was diagnosed last summer around August 2024 with oesophageal cancer and my sisters and I have been looking after her along with carers around day jobs and family life etc.  We were shocked to find out last year that she had around 6 – 12 months to live.  I hope that eventually there will be a cure for this awful disease because she now cannot eat without finding it challenging and her swallowing has been affected, but the protein drinks provided by NHS are helping. I’m really proud to be able to raise some money for this important cause of OPA Cancer Charity, and any sum submitted no matter how small will help.”- Emma Nicholson 

Click here to support Emma’s fundraising page!

Implantica AG (publ.), a MedTech company at the forefront of introducing
advanced technology into the body, including the unique device RefluxStop™
for the treatment of acid reflux, a treatment field with 1 billion sufferers,
announces a new article from Germany in the well-respected Journal of Laparoendoscopic & Advanced Surgical Techniques showing excellent RefluxStop™ results in a real-world setting, akin to those achieved in the CE mark study.

The study, “Experience with an innovative surgical treatment option for gastroesophageal reflux disease: Results of 28 patients in a retrospective analysis,” was conducted by one of Germany’s leading anti-reflux surgeons, Dr. med. Moustafa Elshafei, Chief of General and Visceral Surgery at St. Elisabethen Hospital, Frankfurt, Germany.

Dr. med. Elshafei says, “I have treated thousands of patients with reflux and actively participated in the evolution of new technologies over the years. This is the first time I have witnessed a radically different approach to treating reflux disease without compressing the food passageway and restoring the natural anatomy of not just the sphincter muscle but also the complete gastric anatomy and physiology. This is what really drives such excellent outcomes with the RefluxStop procedure.”

Dr. Elshafei continues, “All cases of preoperative heartburn, regurgitation, and dysphagia in our study were completely resolved with RefluxStop, yielding high patient satisfaction results. I am very excited to see RefluxStop filling a long-standing and crucial gap in the surgical approach, offering a comprehensive solution for patients with GERD.”

Founder and CEO of Implantica, Dr. Peter Forsell, says, “It’s an honor to see continued excellent results from yet another leading surgeon, Dr. med. Elshafei. Knowing Dr. Elshafei’s significant involvement with various technologies and getting his valuable perspective on RefluxStop™’s unique and superior mechanism of action is truly encouraging.”

Dr. Forsell goes on to say, “GERD is a serious problem in Germany. In addition to causing chronic pain for countless patients, the disease costs the country an estimated €688 million annually in lost gross domestic product due to decreased productivity from the impact of GERD on the German workforce¹. A new and reliable surgical treatment for GERD is urgently needed. This study shows RefluxStop™ is a very safe and reliable procedure. It’s clear RefluxStop™ is leading the way to a new paradigm in the surgical treatment of GERD in Germany.”

1. Willich SN, Nocon M, Kulig M, et al. Cost-of-disease analysis in patients with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease and Barrett’s mucosa. Aliment Pharmacol
Ther. 2006;23(3):371-6; doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2006.02763.x.

For further information, please contact:
Nicole Pehrsson, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer
Telephone (CH): +41 (0)79 335 09 49
nicole.pehrsson@implantica.com

Implantica is listed on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market in Stockholm.

The company’s Certified Adviser is FNCA Sweden AB, info@fnca.se

The information was sent for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, on April 10, 2025, at 08:00 a.m. (CET).

About Implantica
Implantica is a medtech group dedicated to bringing advanced technology into the body. Implantica’s lead product, RefluxStop™, is a CE-marked implant for the prevention of gastroesophageal reflux that will potentially create a paradigm shift in anti-reflux treatment as supported by successful clinical trial results. Implantica also focuses on eHealth inside the body and has developed a broad, patent protected, product pipeline based partly on two platform technologies: an eHealth platform designed to monitor a broad range of health parameters, control treatment from inside the body and communicate to the caregiver on distance and a wireless energizing platform designed to power remote-controlled implants wirelessly through intact skin. Implantica is listed on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market (ticker: IMP A SDB). Visit www.implantica.com for further information.

About RefluxStop™
RefluxStop™ is a new innovative treatment that has the potential to spur a paradigm shift in anti-reflux surgery. It’s unique mechanism of action differentiates it from standard of care and current surgical solutions. Longer established surgical options for GORD involve encircling the food passageway to support the lower oesophageal sphincter’s closing mechanism and are commonly associated with side effects such as swallowing difficulties, pain when swallowing and inability to belch and/or vomit.

In contrast, the RefluxStop™ device treats the cause of acid reflux without encircling and putting pressure on the food passageway. It restores and maintains the lower oesophageal sphincter in its original, natural position.

The RefluxStop™ mechanism of action is focused on reconstructing all three components of the anti-reflux barrier, that if compromised could possibly result in acid reflux. It restores and supports the natural anatomical physiology of the body allowing the body to itself solve the problem with acid reflux.

Newsroom
http://www.implantica.com/media/media-kit

Community
http://ch.linkedin.com/company/implantica
http://www.twitter.com/implantica

Media Contact:
Implantica AG
Juanita Eberhart, VP Marketing & Advocacy
M: +1 925-381-4581
juanita.eberhart@implantica.com

https://mb.cision.com/Main/19732/4133927/3380227.pdf3380227.pdf

“I decided to run the Brighton Marathon to raise as much money as possible for OPA cancer charity following my dad’s diagnosis of oesophageal cancer in August last year. The past year has been incredibly difficult for my family. My dad has been facing tough treatments with incredible strength, and I wanted to do my part to help.

 

It has blown my mind how much we have raised for the charity – over four thousand pounds! Friends and family have really come together to donate and share over social media.  My dad is well known and loved in the local community and this shows in the number of people who have donated.

 

I never thought I would ever run a marathon! I wasn’t very sporty in school and only started running the last couple of years. This was my first marathon and I’m glad I chose Brighton and to support such a worthwhile charity. It was a great weekend with uplifting crowds all along the course. The sunshine came out which was lovely to see but it was very difficult to run in! I really hope the money I have raised can make a difference.” – Nick Winter