Xeltis Completes First Commercial aXess Implant

Xeltis has performed the first commercial implant of its aXess vascular access device for haemodialysis, formally starting European commercialisation of a device that gradually transforms into the patient’s own living vessel. Announced on 13 July 2026, the first commercial patient was treated by Dr Dominik Liebetrau at Artemed Klinikum Munich South in Germany. aXess represents a new category of vascular access based on Nobel Prize-winning supramolecular science.

aXess is implanted in a single surgical procedure and initially serves as a scaffold ready for cannulation. Over time it gradually transforms into a living vessel through vascular cell in-growth and tissue regeneration, combining the fast availability for cannulation typical of grafts with the long-term benefits associated with arteriovenous fistulas. The European launch follows positive 12-month pivotal data, which showed secondary patency comparable to matured arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs), alongside lower reintervention rates and high infection resistance versus historical arteriovenous graft (AVG) benchmarks.

Dr Dominik Liebetrau, Head of Vascular Surgery at Artemed Klinikum Munich South, said aXess integrated seamlessly into the existing surgical workflow and gives physicians a valuable new option for patients requiring long-term haemodialysis access. Eliane Schutte, CEO of Xeltis, framed the milestone as the transition from clinical development into routine patient care and the foundation for broader adoption across Europe and ultimately the US. Elmar Horn, Vice President of Commercial at Xeltis, said the initial focus will be on supporting participating centres adopting the device across Germany and Europe. The company’s US pivotal trial now exceeds 50% enrolment.

The commercial signal is Xeltis executing on a genuinely differentiated product architecture at exactly the moment vascular access is being reassessed as a durable investment category. With chronic kidney disease incidence rising globally and existing AVG and AVF options carrying well-known long-term reintervention and infection burdens, aXess is well positioned to compete against established players including Baxter, Merit Medical and Getinge in Europe.

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