World first

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust Treats First Patients with Allurion Balloon for Pre-Surgical Weight Loss

Allurion Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: ALUR), a company dedicated to ending obesity, today announced that the Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (FT) is the first NHS trust in the United Kingdom, and the first non-private sector organisation in the world, to introduce the Allurion Gastric Balloon - the world's only swallowable gastric balloon that requires no surgery, no endoscopy and no anaesthesia¹. Once swallowed, the balloon is filled and remains in the stomach for approximately 4 months, after which it self-empties and passes out naturally. It is proven to help patients lose an average of 10-15% of their body weight after approximately four months². Studies show that on average, 96% of weight loss can be sustained 1 year after the balloon passes³.

To date, there have been more than 30 peer-reviewed studies conducted worldwide, demonstrating that the Allurion Balloon is a safe and effective way to lose weight⁴.

The first two patients to receive the treatment were treated at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust’s (FT) Musgrove Park Hospital in November, under the care of Professor Richard Welbourn, consultant bariatric surgeon at Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. A further three NHS placements are due to take place in early February, with up to a dozen others also scheduled to have this potentially life changing procedure.

Somerset FT has provided the Allurion Program to two patients. It is suitable for patients who are most in need, especially those seeking rapid, safe and effective weight loss, enabling them to reach a safe and suitable weight to undergo lifesaving surgery.

The Allurion Program has been shown to be particularly effective in patients with a higher body mass index (BMI). Patients with a starting BMI of 35-40 lose on average 15% of their body weight at 4 months⁵ while those with a starting BMI of over 40 can lose on average up to 20% of their body weight at 6 months⁶.

The first ever NHS placement of the Allurion Balloon follows recent reports that obesity currently costs the NHS £100 billion a year, with this figure expected to grow by another £10 billion over the next 15 years⁷. The Allurion Balloon - which can be placed in a 15-minute doctor’s visit - is expected to save the NHS significant time and money as the treatment is substantially less expensive than bariatric surgery. It is expected that the Allurion Balloon’s non-invasive approach also means patients can be in and out of hospital within the hour, freeing up much needed operation rooms, surgical teams, and patient beds.