Insightec has announced that 10,000 patients across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) have now received treatment using its Exablate Neuro platform, marking a significant milestone in the adoption of MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS).
The technology provides an incisionless treatment option for conditions including essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease. Treatment is currently available at more than 62 centres across 20 EMEA countries, with regional patient volumes more than doubling over the past three years.
Globally, more than 30,000 patients at 226 treatment centres have been treated using the technology, according to the company.
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MRgFUS uses magnetic resonance imaging to guide focused ultrasound energy toward targeted areas of the brain. The approach is intended to provide a non-invasive alternative for selected patients who may otherwise require medication or more invasive surgical procedures.
The milestone also highlights continuing differences in access to advanced neurological treatments across the EMEA region. While some countries have established treatment pathways and reimbursement mechanisms, patients in other markets continue to face financial, geographic and healthcare-system barriers.
“Ten thousand is a number, but behind every one of those treatments is a person who got their life back: a hand steady enough to hold a cup of coffee, or write a birthday card, or hug a grandchild without shaking,” said Jake Ghannam, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer at Insightec. “We’re proud of how far focused ultrasound has come in EMEA, and just as proud to see Parkinson’s disease patients now benefiting from the same incisionless approach that’s already changed thousands of lives with essential tremor. None of this happens without the clinical teams who believed in this therapy early and did the hard work of building it into their standard of care.”
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The company also highlighted patient experiences, including individuals with long-standing essential tremor who have reported improvements in daily activities and confidence following treatment.
“I didn’t want to go out with my partner because I felt like people were watching my every move when drinking a glass of water or picking up a fork. People notice all of that, so you avoid it.” José said. “In a way, I had completely lost confidence in my ability to live a normal life. Now I feel that I am in control of everything again. You realize it yourself and think My God, this, this is living! Now I understand what life is like for normal people.”
