Pulmonx buys Emphasys assets

Pulmonx is weighing the possibility of a new U.S. trial for the Emphasys EBV endobronchial valve for emphysema (formerly known as Zephyr) after acquiring the device and other assets of Emphasys Medical on May 13 for undisclosed terms. After nine years in the pipeline, Zephyr was found "not-approvable" by FDA following a negative advisory panel vote last December. Emphasys Medical subsequently put the technology on the auction block (1"The Gray Sheet" Feb. 23, 2009, p. 24). Pulmonx Executive VP and General Manager Niyazi Beyhan says his firm is considering a few options for Emphasys EBV, but will first focus on ramping up manufacturing to supply the valve to customers outside the U.S., where it has been sold since 2006. Palo Alto, Calif.-based Pulmonx touts the potential use of its 510(k)-pending Chartis collateral ventilation detection system to identify candidates best suited for endobronchial lung volume reduction procedures with Emphasys EBV