Laborie Medical Technologies announced today that it acquired an exclusive license to the Optilume urethral drug-coated balloon (DCB).

Portsmouth, New Hampshire-based Laborie purchased a perpetual, exclusive license to Optilume — developed by Urotronic — following FDA approval in December 2021. The DCB platform received CE mark approval for use in male anterior urethral strictures in 2020.

According to a news release, Urotronic developed the paclitaxel-coated balloon technology as an alternative to the current endoscopic solutions for urethral strictures, offering a durable, cost-effective, minimally invasive treatment option.

The Optilume platform significantly reduced the incidence of stricture recurrence in the Robust 1 and Robust 3 clinical trials, according to the release, proving its potential as an alternative for men with recurrent strictures who want to avoid or delay urethroplasty.

“Until now, there has been no treatment for urethral stricture that provides ambulatory recovery, minimal complications and durable outcomes, all in a simple outpatient procedure,” Laborie President & CEO Michael Frazzette said in the release. “Optilume is the treatment that breaks the cycle of recurrent urethral strictures.”