August 8, 2024- Ethicon, a Johnson & Johnson MedTech company, announced that the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a label update to expand the availability of the LINX™ Reflux Management System to include patients with Barrett’s esophagus (BE) experiencing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms. The decision is based on a retrospective review of a 2021 study that found LINX™ to be safe and effective in managing GERD symptoms in patients with BE.
It is estimated that 20 percent of adults in the U.S. suffer from GERD, which is a risk factor for BE, a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the intestine replaces the lining in the esophagus. Millions of patients rely on medications that control or suppress acid production in the stomach to treat GERD. However, these medications do not address the mechanical cause of GERD, which is a weak lower esophageal sphincter (LES) muscle. LINX™, a flexible ring of small magnets placed around the LES to help prevent acid reflux, has demonstrated success in treating GERD in patients with and without BE.