Good news: The Gastric Bypass Stent System developed by Tongee obtains a patent in Japan, demonstrating its strength and innovative capacity

Recently, Tongee announced it has filed an international patent application under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) for its technology "Gastric diverter and antibacterial digestive tract catheter thereof ", also known as the "Gastric Bypass Stent System", and has received the Patent Authorization Notice issued by the Japan Patent Office (JPO), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

Tongee is a national innovative enterprise focusing on the research and development of new treatments for metabolic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and non-alcoholic fatty liver. The "Gastric Bypass Stent System" developed by Tongee is a minimally invasive implantation technique intended for weight loss and improvement of obesity-related complications. Clinical trials of the device have been approved and conducted.

With the rapid social and economic development and improvement of people's living standards, obesity has become a prominent health and social problem in China. However, the understanding and treatment of obesity in China are still in their infancy. Current treatment for obesity mainly involves surgical treatment and lacks of a multidisciplinary treatment approach. Furthermore, endoscopic weight loss procedures have rarely been used in China. Therefore, Tongee has always been focusing on developing more efficient and healthier treatment solutions with breakthrough innovations for patients with obesity and metabolic diseases since its establishment. The in-depth study of Tongee's "Gastric Bypass Stent System" and the recognition from authoritative institutions all over the world have brought more hope for the breakthrough of endoscopic weight loss procedures in China.

It is reported that the "Gastric Bypass Stent System" of Tongee can be implanted and explanted through a gastroscope with minimally invasive intervention. Compared with conventional bariatric surgery, the device is less invasive, easier to operate, does not damage the human body structure, and causes less injury to the patients. The device is implanted in the duodenum and upper jejunum through a gastroscope. Then, the chyme from the stomach passes through the chamber of the sleeve, while bile and pancreatic juice are isolated by the sleeve. Thus, bile and pancreatic juice converge together with the chyme at the remote of the jejunum, which reduces the digestion and absorption of food. It can be used to control metabolic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease clinically, which exhibits good prospects for a wide range of applications.

Up to now, many patent applications for the "Gastric Bypass Stent System" developed by Tongee have entered the procedure of national phase in PCT contracting states (such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Mexico, Canada, and Brazil) for 21 times cumulatively. It has obtained the Decision of Registration/Decision to Grant a Patent issued by Japan, Russia, and Australia, with more applications under review in other countries.

The international patent obtained by Tongee in Japan was filed under the PCT which is an international treaty with more than 150 Contracting States. By filing one international patent application under the PCT, applicants can simultaneously seek protection for an invention in a large number of countries. So, the PCT serves as an armor of patent protection for enterprises seeking to develop overseas market. The grant of the patent by JPO indicates that the innovative technology of Tongee has won the recognition of numerous countries worldwide, which not only plays a significant role in advancing the clinical study of the "Gastric Bypass Stent System" but also boosts the confidence of Tongee in entering the global market in the future.

This year is the first year of the "14th Five-Year Plan" period. Developing intellectual properties, emphasizing on innovation, and encouraging independent research and development of core technologies and key medical devices are the key focuses for promoting the development of China's healthcare industry. The head of Tongee noted that Tongee will continue to promote the development of the domestic healthcare industry by innovations and valuable intellectual properties. Tongee aims to improve the international competitiveness of China's healthcare industry through innovation and bring benefits to the world with intelligent manufacturing technology as expeditiously as possible.