Sept 23 (Reuters) - Johnson & Johnson ( JNJ ) said on

Tuesday it will withdraw a device to treat acid reflux disease

from certain markets, citing commercial reasons.

The company has decided to withdraw the product, called LINX

Reflux Management System, in certain countries "following a

thorough evaluation of market conditions and ability to

effectively serve each market," a J&J spokesperson said.

There is no change in the safety or efficacy of the

device, the spokesperson said.

The company did not immediately specify which countries

it plans to exit, and whether this would exclude the U.S.

Bloomberg News reported earlier in the day that J&J would

withdraw the device from markets outside the U.S. by the end of

March, citing a company letter sent to doctors.

The device is approved for patients with chronic

gastroesophageal reflux disease, a condition in which the

stomach contents leak backward from the stomach into the food

pipe.

LINX is a flexible ring of small magnets placed around a

band of muscles located at the base of the esophagus to help

keep them closed to prevent reflux, according to the company.