NICE Recommends Routine NHS Funding for VitaSmart™ Perfusion System in the UK

NICE Endorses VitaSmart™ for NHS Funding

In a groundbreaking development, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK has announced a new set of recommendations that advocate for the systematic funding by the National Health Service (NHS) of the VitaSmart™ hypothermic oxygenated perfusion (HOPE) system produced by Bridge to Life™ Ltd. This significant endorsement is poised to revolutionize the landscape of organ preservation, particularly for deceased donor livers intended for transplantation.

These new guidelines were released following a thorough evaluation process, which revealed that advanced perfusion systems like VitaSmart™ not only provide substantial clinical advantages over traditional static cold storage methods but also present compelling economic benefits. The findings highlighted that the use of hypothermic oxygenated perfusion is linked to better graft survival rates and reduced biliary complications—an important consideration in improving patient outcomes after transplantation.

According to Don Webber, CEO and President of Bridge to Life™, this recommendation from NICE represents a pivotal moment in establishing hypothermic oxygenated perfusion as the standard of care for liver transplantation. He emphasized that the extensive adoption of the HOPE program throughout Europe over the last decade showcases the growing interest in perfusion therapy. With NICE's validation, the clinical and economic advantages of HOPE are reinforced, and American physicians are increasingly exploring this technology following its recent de novo authorization by the FDA.

The VitaSmart™ system employs HOPE technology, allowing a well-oxygenated solution to be delivered to donor livers before their transplantation. Specifically designed for ease of use, adoption, and investment optimization, VitaSmart™ integrates seamlessly into clinical workflows without the operational complexities or high costs often associated with normothermic systems. In addition to its presence in the UK and USA, VitaSmart™ is also available across Europe, Saudi Arabia, India, and any country accepting CE marking.

The NHS's funding decision is heralded as a new era for liver transplantation programs in the UK. According to Rebeca Sanabria Mateos, a transplant surgeon at the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, equitable access to such effective and intuitive perfusion technology empowers surgical teams to safely and confidently utilize organs from extended criteria donors, streamlining operating room logistics and ultimately yielding better patient outcomes.

Bridge to Life™ continues to see rapid commercial growth in the U.S., driven by FDA's recent approval, and remains steadfast in advancing evidence-based organ preservation science. Their commitment is aimed at broadening the donor pool and enhancing patient care globally.

About Bridge to Life™ Ltd.

Bridge to Life™ Ltd. stands at the forefront of organ preservation technologies and perfusion solutions. Driven by a commitment to science-based innovation, the company provides transplantation teams with cutting-edge tools that extend the donor pool, streamline clinical processes, and improve patient outcomes worldwide. VitaSmart™ complements a range of preservation solutions, including the Belzer UW® product, which is widely regarded as the gold standard for static cold storage and the most commonly used cold rinse solution in abdominal organ transplantation. Collectively, this portfolio empowers Bridge to Life to address both traditional preservation techniques and next-generation mechanical perfusion, placing them in a unique position within the field.