For Immediate Release  

Apersys AG incorporates to develop a novel liver perfusion system with the mission to save more patients in need of an organ and to help scientists accelerate their research.  

Zurich, Switzerland — September 3rd, 2024 — Apersys AG, a pioneering Swiss-based medical device startup, is proud to announce its official launch. Formerly known as the Liver4Life project, the company was formed by seasoned healthcare professionals, researchers, and inventive engineers based in Zurich. 

The dynamic team has created a perfusion system that enables normothermic machine perfusion of organs for up to 7 days before transplantation. This innovative platform allows for prolonged, continuous/real-time graft assessment, enabling ex-situ organ recovery and elective procedures. It reduces the risk of ischemia-reperfusion injury and offers new possibilities for marginal grafts.   

CEO of Apersys AG, Waldemar Hoffmann, comments, “My passion and inspiration to provide vital assistance to patients in need and to overcome organ shortage is deeply personal – my father underwent two kidney transplants. This profound understanding of the hopes and fears that accompany organ transplantation shaped my passion and led to the incorporation of Apersys with the goal of bringing forth the finest medical advancements for those who need them the most: the patients.”  

Instrumental to the incorporation of the Liver4Life project, was the acceleration of the project at the Wyss Zurich Translational Center. During this time, the team leveraged the access to valuable technical support and expertise, which drove the progress of the team and the development of the medical device. 

In May 2022, the multidisciplinary research team announced that it successfully treated an originally damaged human liver in a machine for three days outside a body and then implanted the recovered organ into a cancer patient. The surgery occurred in May 2021 and today, the patient is doing well.  

This remarkable achievement is evidence of the possibilities that extended perfusion holds. Future applications could include graft regeneration, immunomodulation, and research applications in gene therapy.   

Clinical Advisor and Mentor Professor Pierre-Alain Clavien explains “our therapy shows that by treating livers in the perfusion machine, it is possible to alleviate the lack of functioning human organs and save lives.” 

Apersys AG is also striving to have the most user-friendly perfusion device on the market, aiming for innovations like remote monitoring and full automation. These advancements would significantly reduce operational costs associated with the current industry standard of 24/7 in-person surgeon surveillance.  

About Apersys AG 

At Apersys, we are dedicated to advancing medical technology to improve patient outcomes and enhance healthcare efficiency. As the only system to keep a liver alive for more than 72 hours, we have immense potential in organ preservation and recovering marginal organs in a world where most patients are left untreated due to a lack of viable transplantable organs. The company is committed to excellence and adheres to the highest standards of quality and safety.   

For more information about Apersys AG and our development, please visit our website at apersys.com. 

About Wyss Zurich Translational Center 

The Wyss Zurich Translational Center (Wyss Zurich) is a joint accelerator of the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich), which was made possible by a generous donation from the Swiss entrepreneur and philanthropist Dr. h.c. mult. Hansjörg Wyss. It was established to foster translational research focused on developing treatment protocols and clinical therapies, as well as novel technologies and intelligent systems, in the emerging fields of regenerative medicine, robotics, and medical devices/bionics. Wyss Zurich unites world-leading experts from both institutions in multidisciplinary teams, pooling their knowledge and expertise. For more information, please visit www.wysszurich.ch. 

Contact Information 

Chris Stahle 

Commercial Lead, Apersys AG 

Email: chris.stahle@apersys.com