GI Dynamics, Inc. has entered into two separate research collaborations with GlaxoSmithKline plc and Medtronic, Inc. to evaluate its EndoBarrier treatment for type 2 diabetes and obesity. The collaboration with Medtronic is focused on understanding how EndoBarrier impacts continuous glucose levels, while with GSK the research will evaluate hormonal changes in response to EndoBarrier Therapy to further characterize the mechanism of action of the EndoBarrier. EndoBarrier is a thin, flexible, tube-shaped liner that forms a physical barrier between food and a portion of the wall of the intestine.

In 13 clinical studies involving more than 500 patients, EndoBarrier has been shown to achieve rapid reductions in blood sugar levels and weight loss of approximately 20% in 12 months. It is hoped the collaboration could lead to improvements in the device as well as potential combinations of drug treatment and EndoBarrier Therapy and optimise patient outcomes. EndoBarrier is considered an investigational new device in the US, while it has received CE Mark approval in Europe in 2010 and the approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia in 2011 for the treatment of type 2 diabetes or obesity for up to 12 months.

The device is entering a clinical trial phase in the US and is commercially available in many European countries including Germany, Austria, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. It is also available in Australia and Chile.