On December 11, 2021, CH Biomedical officially launched its CH-VAD, the implantable ventricular assist system during the Critical Heart Disease Conference (CHDC). This milestone marks the beginning of commercialization for China’s first fully magnetically levitated VAD with complete independent intellectual property rights.
This landmark occasion was witnessed by renowned domestic and international cardiovascular experts, either present in Shenzhen or participating online. CH Biomedical invited Academician HU Shengshou—Director of the National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and President of Fuwai Hospital (CAMS & PUMC), Professor DONG Nianguo from Union Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Professor CHENG Zhaoyun from Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital, Professor LIU Su from the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Professor ZHANG Jian from Fuwai Hospital (CAMS & PUMC), Mr. FU Gang, Chairman and industrial investor of BaHeal Pharma Group, and Dr. CHEN Chen, founder and Chairman of CH Biomedical, to inaugurate the release ceremony of CH-VAD. This moment also marked a new era in heart failure therapy in China.
Academician HU emphasized that CH-VAD is China’s first fully magnetically levitated VAD with entirely independent intellectual property rights. Its official launch represents a significant step in the country’s R&D of cutting-edge implantable cardiovascular devices, heralding a new era in surgical treatment for heart failure. He also highlighted CH-VAD as a prime example of medicine-engineering integration: ongoing collaboration between clinical practitioners and R&D engineers has seamlessly merged product performance with clinical efficacy. As both a clinical practitioner and a witness to the development of this product, he said he was honored to have been part of the process. While the product’s commercialization makes this innovative solution available, it is now up to clinicians to dedicate even greater effort to ensure that it truly becomes a blessing for heart failure patients.
At the same CHDC, Academician HU presented a keynote speech titled Surgical Therapy for Heart Failure in China: The VAD Era Has Arrived. He noted, “Although drug therapy for heart failure has advanced considerably over the past two decades, it generally does not reverse ventricular remodeling. Heart transplantation remains the only available option for patients with end-stage heart disease—one severely constrained by limited donor availability and significant post-operative treatment demands and complications. Against this backdrop, the clinical application of VAD has made great strides worldwide, and the number of LVAD implants already far exceeds that of heart transplant which is also the direction we hope to see develop in China. The vast number of heart failure patients in need of treatment drives the rapid clinical development of this field. The VAD era has begun in China, and standardized training, safe and effective therapies, the establishment of industry guidelines and standards, as well as ongoing improvements in national medical insurance will collectively foster healthy, sustainable growth in this domain.”
Dr. CHEN, founder of CH Biomedical, announced the official launch of CH-VAD and looked back on the over ten-year journey from initial concept to regulatory approval. He expressed sincere thanks to government agencies at all levels for their unwavering support, as well as to clinical trial teams and leaders across the scientific, medical, and business communities who have contributed to CH Biomedical’s development. In the wake of this release, the company aims to reinforce CH-VAD’s global standing by conducting additional clinical trials under expert guidance. Dr. CHEN also shared that bringing CH-VAD to European and American markets is company’s next goal and that the process is already progressing smoothly. He welcomes ongoing support from industry leaders, specialists, peers, and friends, envisioning a bright future together.
“A VAD capable of withstanding the test of time has been a longstanding aspiration within the medical community, and many experts have placed great expectations on CH Biomedical,” Dr. CHEN remarked. “This is both an honor and a responsibility. We will do our utmost to provide top-quality service and continually refine the product, thereby supporting clinicians in advancing VAD therapy worldwide and extending its use to patients at earlier stages of heart failure.”
Over the past decade, CH Biomedical has poured unwavering effort into VAD research—starting with a spark of inspiration, moving through rigorous development, and culminating in prototype creation and clinical trials. Thanks to persistent teamwork from both clinical and research experts, CH-VAD is now officially on the market. In the coming years, this device will benefit more end-stage heart failure patients, while CH Biomedical itself embarks on a new phase of commercial growth.
