Aqua Medical's Breakthrough in Diabetes Treatment at DDW 2026
Aqua Medical, Inc., a forerunner in the realm of Endoscopic Metabolic Restoration, recently unveiled impressive long-term results at the Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) 2026. This pivotal moment highlighted the 12-month outcomes for their innovative radiofrequency vapor ablation (RFVA) therapy, particularly focusing on the Proximal Intestinal Mucosal Ablation (PIMA) procedure. This groundbreaking technique has emerged as a beacon of hope for those battling Type 2 diabetes, showcasing remarkable success in insulin elimination and glycemic control.
Key Highlights of the Study
The data presented at DDW emphasized several pivotal findings:
- - Reduction in HbA1c: Patients experienced an average reduction in HbA1c levels by up to 2.6% after one year.
- - Total Insulin Elimination: A remarkable 100% of participants were completely free from the need for exogenous insulin.
- - Sustained Results: About 80% of patients maintained insulin-free status without requiring additional medications.
- - No Fluoroscopy Needed: The procedure's design negates the necessity for fluoroscopy, streamlining the logistics and expanding access.
- - Outpatient Efficacy: Conducted as a minimally invasive, ~60-minute outpatient procedure, the treatment displayed a favorable safety profile.
The PIMA Procedure Explained
The PIMA procedure leverages Aqua Medical's proprietary RFVA technology to achieve targeted ablation, focusing on roughly 60 cm of proximal small intestinal mucosa. Instead of merely addressing symptoms through medication, PIMA seeks to restore metabolic function at its root, profoundly enhancing glucose metabolism and mitigating insulin resistance.
Dr. Rehan Haidry, a key figure in the study, recognized the transformative impact of the PIMA procedure, stating, "These one-year results reinforce the transformative potential of this approach. Achieving durable glycemic improvement with a minimally invasive, fully endoscopic procedure represents a significant advance in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes."
The encouraging results were further bolstered by Dr. Benjamin Norton’s comments on the effectiveness of targeting the proximal intestine to restore vital metabolic pathways. The cumulative results offer hope and excitement for both patients and healthcare providers.
Looking Ahead
One of the prominent features of this new technology is its ease of use and scalability. Dr. Raj Nihalani, Chief Medical Officer at Aqua Medical, emphasized this point, stating, "This is a proprietary, through-the-scope, minimally invasive procedure that requires no fluoroscopy and fits seamlessly into GI and endo-bariatric workflows, bringing interventional solutions to a disease historically managed with chronic therapy escalation."
The results from DDW 2026 mark a notable achievement for Aqua Medical and represent a significant leap for the field of metabolic endoscopy. The RF vapor ablation technology has the potential to revolutionize how Type 2 diabetes is treated, shifting the focus from long-term medication dependency to a single, durable outpatient intervention.
As research continues, Aqua Medical is currently conducting a pilot study in the U.S. for further investigation of this innovative therapy. This promising procedure positions itself as a crucial step toward redefining diabetes management and offers renewed hope for many individuals suffering from this condition.
About Aqua Medical
Aqua Medical is leading the way in Endoscopic Metabolic Restoration, committed to developing cutting-edge minimally invasive therapies for Type 2 diabetes and related metabolic disorders. Their proprietary RF vapor ablation platform, utilized in the PIMA procedure, is indicative of their forward-thinking approach to addressing the underlying causes of metabolic dysfunction.
For more information, you can visit
www.aquaendoscopy.com or contact their media relations team.