French artificial heart manufacturer Carmat lowered its sales forecast for 2024 on Friday, citing reduced surgical activity in Europe this summer.

The group is now targeting annual sales of between €8 million and €12 million, compared with an initial forecast of €14 million.

"This forecast reflects in particular a more accurate understanding of market access and seasonality dynamics, as well as the two summer months during which surgical activity was reduced across Europe", Carmat commented in a release.

First-half sales came in at €3.3 million, ahead of full-year sales for 2023, and the group announced that it had carried out 20 implants of its Aeson artificial heart over the period.

(Written by Pauline Foret, edited by Blandine Hénault)