Perfuze Completes U.S. Trial Enrollment, Appoints Joe Rotger as EVP of Sales
Perfuze, a leading innovator in next-generation catheter-based stroke treatment technologies, has announced two major developments in its mission to improve outcomes for patients with acute ischemic stroke. The company has successfully completed enrollment in its pivotal U.S. clinical trial, MARRS (Millipede Aspiration for Revascularization in Stroke Study), and appointed Joe Rotger as Executive Vice President of Sales.
The MARRS trial, conducted under an Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is a significant step toward bringing Perfuze’s flagship product, the Millipede 088 aspiration catheter, to a broader market. The study enrolled over 180 patients ahead of schedule across multiple leading stroke centers in the U.S. and Europe. It aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Millipede 088 in removing blood clots from patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes—a critical form of stroke where rapid intervention is essential to prevent long-term disability or death.
The Millipede 088 is part of Perfuze’s broader Millipede System, designed to streamline stroke interventions through fast, effective clot removal and simplified procedural steps. The catheter features a “Superbore” design, optimized to deliver high aspiration power, potentially improving revascularization success and reducing procedure time.
Dr. Raul Nogueira, Endowed Professor of Neurology and Neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and Principal Investigator of the MARRS Study, emphasized the collaborative effort behind the trial’s success.
“I extend my sincere congratulations to all participating hospitals and clinical teams. Your dedication has enabled a rigorous, high-quality study. I especially want to thank the stroke patients and their families—their courage and generosity made this important research possible,” said Dr. Nogueira. “The data from MARRS could significantly influence the future of stroke treatment.”
Wayne Allen, CEO and Co-Founder of Perfuze, echoed this sentiment and highlighted the significance of the achievement.
“Completing enrollment in the MARRS study is a pivotal moment for Perfuze,” Allen said. “It moves us one step closer to offering the Millipede System to stroke physicians across the U.S. We’re incredibly thankful to the investigators, site teams, and patients who made this possible.”
In parallel with its clinical progress, Perfuze is strengthening its commercial strategy with the appointment of Joe Rotger as Executive Vice President of Sales. A veteran in the medtech industry, Rotger brings over 25 years of commercial leadership experience, particularly in the neurovascular space. His background includes executive roles at Stryker Neurovascular and Boston Scientific, where he led high-performing sales organizations and drove significant market expansion.
Rotger expressed his enthusiasm for joining Perfuze during this critical phase of growth.
“I’m thrilled to join a company that’s bringing such transformative solutions to stroke care,” he said. “The Millipede and Zipline catheter families represent exciting innovations for U.S. clinicians, and I look forward to partnering with the team to expand access and improve outcomes for stroke patients.”
Perfuze is currently in a Limited Market Release (LMR) in the United States with its FDA-cleared Millipede 088 Access Catheter, Millipede 070 Aspiration Catheter, and Zipline delivery assist catheters. The company anticipates that findings from the MARRS trial will support an upcoming submission to the FDA for broader approval of the Millipede System in stroke thrombectomy procedures.
These developments represent significant progress toward Perfuze’s goal of transforming stroke intervention with simpler, more effective tools. With its expanding leadership team, ongoing regulatory efforts, and strong clinical momentum, the company is positioning itself at the forefront of innovation in neurovascular care.
About Perfuze
Headquartered in Galway, Ireland, Perfuze is a privately held medical device company focused on developing catheter-based technologies for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke. The company’s proprietary Millipede System aims to simplify the stroke intervention process while maximizing effectiveness. Perfuze is committed to improving clinical outcomes and quality of life for stroke patients around the world.
