Bridge to Life Strengthens Organ Preservation with VitaSmart Acquisition

Bridge to Life Ltd., a frontrunner in organ preservation technologies, has recently announced a significant acquisition: the VitaSmart™ Hypothermic Oxygenated Machine Perfusion System from Medica S.p.A. This strategic move not only enhances Bridge to Life’s portfolio but also positions it closely in line with their mission to advance transplant medicine, improving outcomes for patients awaiting organ transplants.

This acquisition, finalized on December 18, 2024, includes exclusive global trademark rights to the VitaSmart name, allowing Bridge to Life to register it worldwide. The VitaSmart™ system has already proved its efficacy, with over 5,000 successful liver perfusions performed globally using the Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion (HOPE) technique. This success illustrates its pivotal role in preserving organs for transplantation.

Don Webber, the CEO and President of Bridge to Life Ltd., expressed excitement at the acquisition stating, "We are thrilled to now own the VitaSmart™ Hypothermic Oxygenated Machine Perfusion System, a proven technology that has empowered European clinicians to implement HOPE protocols with ease and efficiency." He emphasized the system’s user-friendly design, which minimizes monitoring requirements, marking it as a transformative solution for organ preservation.

As part of their commitment to increasing accessibility to this vital technology, Bridge to Life is currently in the final stages of preparing for an FDA submission for VitaSmart and aims to complete this process in the first quarter of 2025. Webber praised the results from their one-year patient follow-up from a pivotal U.S. study, noting impressive clinical outcomes, including statistical superiority between the study and control arms concerning Early Allograft Dysfunction and a reduction in hospital stays after transplantation.

The announcement of this acquisition points to a significant evolution in the landscape of organ preservation technology. By strengthening its enterprise value through owning VitaSmart™, Bridge to Life is poised to extend its offerings to U.S. transplant centers, organ procurement organizations, and ultimately, to the patients eager for viable liver transplants.

Bridge to Life Ltd. is not new to the world of organ preservation. The company is renowned for its collaborative work with leading transplant centers and offices for organ procurement around the globe. Alongside VitaSmart™, it also develops other notable products such as Belzer UW® and EasiSlush®. The firm’s dedication to the quality of its products has positioned it as a leader in enhancing transplantation outcomes.

Medica S.p.A., the company behind the VitaSmart™, is an established player in the biomedical sector, based in Mirandola, Italy. Known for its innovative spirit, it has committed itself to crafting sophisticated solutions for blood and water purification, ensuring maximum efficacy in its offerings. With such robust backgrounds from both companies, this acquisition is set not only to benefit those needing organ transplants but also to potentially save numerous lives through improved medical technologies.

As the world continues to face organ donation shortfalls, advancements like these are critical to ensuring that more patients receive the care they desperately need. The merging of Bridge to Life’s capabilities with the cutting-edge technology embodied in the VitaSmart™ system exemplifies the ongoing innovation in the medical field that seeks to bridge the gap between need and available organs. Overall, this acquisition serves as a beacon of hope for the many lives dependent on organ transplants and reflects a progressive leap toward more effective preservation methods.