SHERIDAN, WYOMING - December 10, 2025 - Implantica is strengthening its European market expansion for RefluxStop®, announcing that Florence's renowned Careggi University Hospital has performed its first procedure with the implantable device for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), adding another high-profile reference center to the therapy's growing footprint.
Careggi University Hospital Becomes a Flagship Center for GERD Innovation
The first RefluxStop® implantation at Careggi University Hospital was carried out by Dr. Paolo Prosperi, Chief of Emergency Surgery, assisted by Dr. Alessio Giordano. As part of the University of Florence, Careggi is one of Italy's most respected academic medical centers and a key reference institution for advanced surgical technologies.
For Implantica, the adoption is strategically important: it places RefluxStop® in a major Italian university hospital that treats complex reflux patients and frequently guides national practice. It also supports Implantica's strategy of scaling the therapy through high-volume centers of excellence that can drive surgeon training, guideline influence and payer engagement across Europe.
Dr. Prosperi underscores the clinical value proposition of the technology: "It's very exciting to see innovation in GERD treatment on the surgical front. RefluxStop's unique mechanism of action limits many of the undesirable side effects of traditional anti-reflux surgery, as it does not encircle the esophagus, making it an excellent surgical alternative. I am truly excited about RefluxStop's approach to restoring the body's natural anti-reflux barrier, which has never been possible before in the history of GERD treatment. I look forward to bringing this innovative solution to the GERD patients in the region of Tuscany and beyond, and helping to transform their quality of life."
Targeting a Billion-Patient GERD Market and a Major Italian Need
GERD remains one of the most common chronic conditions worldwide, with an estimated one billion sufferers and significant downstream costs in diagnostics, pharmacotherapy and surgery. In Italy alone, up to 20% of the population is thought to be affected, translating into millions of potential candidates for more effective long-term control.
Implantica CEO and RefluxStop® inventor Dr. Peter Forsell highlights the scale of the unmet need: "Congratulations to Dr. Prosperi and his team on completing the first RefluxStop® procedure at the highly respected Careggi University Hospital. GERD remains a significant unmet medical need that impacts one billion people worldwide and up to 20% of Italy's population is estimated to be suffering from GERD1."
By adding Careggi to its roster of European centers, Implantica gains a strong clinical platform in Tuscany with the potential to influence referral patterns across central Italy and beyond, especially for patients who have not responded adequately to drugs or who seek alternatives to traditional surgical options.
How RefluxStop® Differs from Conventional Anti-Reflux Surgery
Traditional surgical treatments for GERD, such as fundoplication, typically involve wrapping or encircling the esophagus to augment the lower esophageal sphincter. While effective for many patients, these procedures are often associated with notable side effects, including dysphagia, pain on swallowing and an inability to belch or vomit-issues that can limit patient acceptance and long-term satisfaction.
RefluxStop® is designed to avoid these trade-offs. Rather than compressing the food passage, the implant restores and maintains the lower esophageal sphincter in its natural anatomical position and focuses on reconstructing all three elements of the anti-reflux barrier. By treating the underlying mechanical cause of reflux without encircling the esophagus, the device aims to deliver durable symptom control with fewer lifestyle-limiting side effects-an important differentiator for both surgeons and patients.
Scaling a European Network of Centers of Excellence
With more than 1,400 RefluxStop® patients treated across Europe, Implantica now has a growing real-world evidence base that extends beyond its initial clinical trials. This volume supports surgeon confidence, helps inform reimbursement discussions and provides payers with data on outcomes and quality-of-life improvements in patients who previously had limited options.
Dr. Forsell notes the strategic importance of the Careggi adoption in the broader rollout: "With more than 1,400 RefluxStop® patients treated across Europe, we continue to see strong and consistent outcomes, including in patients who previously had few effective treatment options. The adoption of RefluxStop® by a major insititution like Careggi underscores the growing clinical confidence and supports our strategy to scale the therapy across leading centers in Europe. We look forward to the impact this expansion will have for patients in Tuscany and beyond."
For hospital decision-makers and surgical departments, RefluxStop® offers a way to expand their GERD treatment portfolio, attract complex cases and differentiate their service offering, while aligning with a broader industry shift toward technologies that restore physiology rather than permanently altering it.
Broader Medtech Platform and Future eHealth Inside the Body
Beyond RefluxStop®, Implantica is positioning itself as a medtech group focused on advanced implants and eHealth inside the body. The company is building a patent-protected pipeline based on two core platforms: an implanted eHealth system capable of monitoring health parameters and communicating remotely with caregivers, and a wireless energizing platform that can power remote-controlled implants through intact skin.
The success of RefluxStop® in leading European hospitals such as Careggi strengthens Implantica's credibility as it develops this broader portfolio and engages with healthcare providers seeking long-term, data-enabled solutions for chronic diseases of the GI tract and beyond.
For further information about RefluxStop® and Implantica's broader eHealth pipeline, visit www.implantica.com.