Dr. Dominik Liebetrau at Artemed Klinikum Munich South, Germany, completed the first successful commercial treatment with aXess.
aXess, the company’s restorative vascular access conduit, is designed to enable the creation of a new, permanent, living vessel for hemodialysis vascular access. It combines the safety and patency of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) with the speed to treatment of arteriovenous grafts (AVG). The conduit aims to deliver an improved dialysis patient experience while avoiding reinterventions and complications like infections.
The device utilizes a proprietary endogenous tissue restoration (ETR) platform. Using breakthroughs in polymer technology, it enables gradual replacement by the patient’s own living, healthy tissue. aXess then dissolves completely over the course of the process. The company designed it to be highly infection-resistant, plus it can deliver near-immediate cannulation.
Xeltis’ launch follows positive 12-month European pivotal data demonstrating secondary patency comparable to matured AVFs. Data also demonstrated lower reintervention rates and high infection resistance compared with historical AVG benchmarks. The company is also supporting its launch with $55 million raised at the end of 2025.
Alongside the European launch, Xeltis also continues enrolling patients in a U.S. pivotal trial for aXess. Enrollment now exceeds 50% to date.
“The first commercial implantation of aXess marks the transition from clinical development into routine patient care. It is an important milestone for Xeltis and the beginning of our European commercial launch, bringing a new treatment option to patients and physicians, while building the foundation for broader adoption across Europe and, ultimately, the U.S.,” said Eliane Schutte, CEO, Xeltis.
