Since 2005, I have in my
spare time, been working on a project that I was invited to join by a start up
company called Neotract Inc which is based in the Bay area of San
Francisco. The company was initially
made up of a small group of engineers who had a great idea of how a minimally
invasive device could be created to treat male lower urinary tract symptoms
(LUTS). Over the years, minimally
invasive devices to treat LUTS as a consequence of benign prostatic hyperplasia
involved destroying prostate tissue whether it be by freezing, cooking,
steaming, lasering or even microwaving. Whilst less invasive than procedures
that physically removed prostate tissue at the time of surgery, these still
required a period of recovery and there was often a delay in deriving full
benefit due to the need for tissues to recover after destructive energy or one
sort or another had been applied to the prostate. The idea was to use a
mechanical implant that would pull open the prostate urethra.
(Screenshot taken from www.neotract.com)
Through my involvement
with Neotract, I was able to provide clinical input as well as being part of
the clinical trials. This has lead to a number of publications that can easily be found by searching under my name and the search term either prostate or urolift. This month, we have seen this
technology finally achieved US FDA approval. I wrote a piece about the benefits
of clinicians and engineers working together for the BJUI Blogs. I was deeply moved to receive the following
letter from Josh Makower, Chair of the Board of Neotract, Inc. I felt compelled to share this letter (with
permission) which was addressed to myself and my co-investigator Dr Peter Chin.
Dear Henry and Peter –
This morning I opened
my email and found this... http://www.bjuinternational.com/bjui-blog/urolift-takes-off-from-down-under-the-potential-rewards-when-engineers-bring-you-into-their-inner-circle/
I must say, Henry’s
words brought a small tear to my eye. After 9 years of amazing
struggle against many obstacles, our small team of passionate dedicated people
have finally made it through a most significant hurdle towards bringing this
technology to patients in the US. It’s a milestone that for many years
seemed almost un-attainable and there were many dark days,.. but perseverance,
trust and a vision held us together.
Henry and Peter – you
were the first. There are always those who go first and history
thankfully will mark them as innovators and leaders. You went where no one had
gone before and gave us your time, your ideas and your talent towards a
dream. That dream is one step closer to being realized and we would not
be here if it were not for the two of you. When procedures and
technologies become mainstream medicine, people often forget what it took to
get there. They forget, or do not even know, how much a toll such a
process takes on our relationships as we invest our lives in bringing something
like this to fruition. But for those of us who were all in the trenches
together; for those of us who hunkered down, re-grouped, re-engaged,
re-energized and stood up again to regain ground when all appeared lost, we
will never forget you and never forget the team that brought us here.
On behalf of all us,
Henry and Peter, thank you for your leadership and your partnership.
Henry – you articulated something special that must be shared – the partnership
between engineers, entrepreneurs and physicians needed to advance medical
technology is an essential one that we must never lose. Without it,
medical innovation would not happen. Thank you for sharing your thoughts
and putting them to paper in such a special way. I hope thoughts like
these help preserve that special balance of talents, interests and shared goals
that truly have the power to change the world and make it a better place.
From all of us at
ExploraMed and NeoTract, and for all the patients who will benefit from all our
collective efforts – thank you.
Sincerely -
Josh
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