Asthmatx, Inc.
Don't hold your breath for an asthma cure, but breathe easier knowing that medical device developer Asthmatx is working on it. Whereas current treatments consist of inhaled medicines, Asthmatx has developed a more invasive outpatient treatment system based on what it calls Bronchial Thermoplasty to treat severe asthma. Delivered by a catheter through the nose or mouth, its Alair System uses heat to reduce the airway smooth muscles which constrict during an asthma attack. The Alair System received FDA approval in early 2010. Asthmatx is a wholly owned subsidiary of medical device giant Boston Scientific.