First American participant joins ATHENA trial conducted by Anaconda Biomed
The medical technology company, Anaconda Biomed, S.L., has made significant strides in the field of stroke treatment with the development of their innovative neurothrombectomy device, the ANA Funnel Catheter. In September 2024, the company received Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to evaluate the ANA Funnel Catheter in the ATHENA trial.
The ANA Funnel Catheter stands out as it features the largest capture diameter currently available for neuroendovascular thrombectomy. This design restricts flow during retrieval, enables simultaneous aspiration, and reduces the risk of clot fragmentation at capture, potentially improving reperfusion rates and clinical outcomes.
The ATHENA clinical trial, a global, randomised 327-patient pivotal study, marks the next important step in advancing Anaconda Biomed's funnel catheter technology for ischemic stroke. As of mid-2025, the trial is an ongoing study evaluating the safety and efficacy of the ANA Funnel Catheter in neurothrombectomy procedures, specifically for treating acute ischemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion.
The trial is designed as a prospective, multi-center clinical trial assessing the ANA Funnel Catheter, a novel neurothrombectomy device. Preliminary data from the trial have shown encouraging safety profiles, with low rates of procedural complications such as vessel injury or distal embolization. Early efficacy outcomes indicate promising recanalization rates and good functional outcomes at 90 days in treated patients.
Dr. Shahram Majidi, Associate Professor of Neurosurgery, Neurology, and Radiology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, enrolled and treated the first U.S. patient in the ATHENA clinical trial. Anaconda Biomed plans to complete enrollment in the ATHENA IDE study in the first half of 2026.
If final results affirm the early findings, the ANA Funnel Catheter could become a valuable tool in neurointerventional stroke therapy, potentially setting new standards for mechanical thrombectomy devices. For the most current, detailed data, checking the latest medical conference proceedings or clinical trial registries directly is advisable.
Recent updates include the publication of ANA Funnel Catheter results in the American Journal of Neuroradiology following the ANAIS study, as well as the appointment of a new CEO at Anaconda Biomed. The ANA Funnel Catheter is designed for use during stent retriever-based thrombectomy to facilitate clot removal.
As the ATHENA trial continues, the medical community eagerly awaits the full results that will confirm definitive safety and efficacy, comparative effectiveness versus other thrombectomy devices, and long-term clinical outcomes. The potential impact of the ANA Funnel Catheter on stroke treatment is significant, and its development represents an exciting step forward in neurointerventional medicine.
The ANA Funnel Catheter, under evaluation in the ongoing ATHENA clinical trial, could potentially improve reperfusion rates and clinical outcomes for patients with acute ischemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion, particularly due to its large capture diameter and design that reduces the risk of clot fragmentation. In the field of neurointerventional stroke therapy, the ANA Funnel Catheter may set new standards for mechanical thrombectomy devices, as it addresses neurological disorders such as stroke.
