The Lap-Band gastric banding system found a new home this week — Apollo Endosugery. The Lap-Band has been a bit of an orphan since last year when Allergan announced that they were looking to sell their struggling obesity device business.

With Apollo, perhaps the Lap-Band will get a little more attention. Lap-Band is the first and leading adjustable gastric band used on obesity surgery. Allergan won an expanded indication for the Lab-Band in 2011, but has since been unable to gain any market advantage from their regulatory success. Lap-Band’s share of obesity surgeries has slipped in recent years, as a newer procedure — the gastric sleeve — has gained favor.

The Lap-Band will provide a core asset for Apollo as it seeks to build a solid position in endoscopic obesity surgery. Even before this deal, half of their business was in obesity surgery. Along with the Lap-Band, Apollo gains the rights to the Orbera intragastric balloon system for obesity treatment.

With a new, attentive parent, the Lap-Band business might find new growth and innovations.

Click here to read more in Fierce Medical Devices.

Happy Home Doodle, image © Nicole Finlayson / flickr

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