Sumitomo Heavy Industries Partners with Soundwave Innovation on Medical Device for Alzheimer's Treatment

Strategic Partnership for Alzheimer's Treatment

On October 3, 2023, Sumitomo Heavy Industries, a prominent manufacturer based in Shinagawa, Tokyo, and Soundwave Innovation, located in Chuo, Tokyo, announced a significant partnership agreement aimed at accelerating the production of a medical device focused on treating early-stage Alzheimer's disease. This device, known as LIPUS-Brain, utilizes Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound (LIPUS) technology, marking a crucial step in providing new treatment options for patients suffering from dementia.

Understanding the Rationale Behind the Collaboration

The growing aging population across the globe has made Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia pressing social issues. There is an urgent need for innovative treatment options that minimize patient burden and enhance the Quality of Life (QOL) for patients and their families. Soundwave Innovation, driven by the research of its CEO, Dr. Hiroaki Shimozawa, a distinguished professor emeritus at Tohoku University, has been developing minimally invasive treatment technologies utilizing LIPUS. They aim to transform traditional treatment methods for debilitating conditions such as dementia, severe angina, and arrhythmia.

Notably, during exploratory clinical trials completed in 2022, LIPUS-Brain demonstrated confirmed safety and promising efficacy, leading to its designation as Japan's first “breakthrough medical device” by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare on September 30, 2022. As of October 2023, final validation trials are underway, with the goal of confirming efficacy by November 2024.

Sumitomo Heavy's Role in the Partnership

With extensive experience in medical device manufacturing, Sumitomo Heavy Industries is confident that they are the ideal partner to help bring Soundwave Innovation's LIPUS technology to the market. This collaboration aligns with Sumitomo's medium-term management plan for 2026, which identifies advanced medical devices as one of four key areas for investment and innovation in new business development.

The essence of this partnership sees Soundwave Innovation focusing on the ongoing clinical trials for LIPUS-Brain, while Sumitomo Heavy manages the manufacturing and sales processes. This collaborative effort is expected to see the completion of the verification trials by the end of 2026, following which both companies will swiftly pursue the necessary approvals for market introduction.

Future Prospects and Goals

As for the future, Sumitomo Heavy Industries is committed to building a resilient business model aimed at supporting a prosperous society while realizing shared value creation by 2030. This involves focusing on four areas for significant investment, including advanced medical equipment, to foster growth through the discovery and nurturing of new business opportunities.

On the other hand, Soundwave Innovation aims to implement its minimally invasive treatment technologies across various applications, including peripheral circulatory disorders. Both companies are dedicated to facilitating the swift practical application and widespread use of LIPUS-Brain, thereby addressing the pressing societal challenges posed by Alzheimer’s disease while aiming to improve the QOL for numerous patients and their families.

In essence, this alliance between Sumitomo Heavy Industries and Soundwave Innovation represents a significant step forward in Alzheimer’s treatment, promising hope for patients and their loved ones as they navigate the complexities of this relentless disease.

Overview of the Partner Companies

- Soundwave Innovation: Specializes in research, development, licensing, manufacturing, and sales of LIPUS and shockwave ablation catheter systems, striving for the social implementation of minimally invasive treatment technologies.
- Sumitomo Heavy Industries: A comprehensive heavy machinery manufacturer engaged in the production and sales of industrial machines, construction equipment, and plants. Their medium-term management plan emphasizes addressing societal challenges through focused investment in robotics, semiconductors, advanced medical devices, and environmental energy solutions.