NEW EPIDAREX PORTFOLIO COMPANY WILL DEVELOP NOVEL CYCLIC ASPIRATION SYSTEM TO REMOVE BLOOD CLOTS FROM THE BRAIN
Bethesda, MD, June 23, 2021 — Epidarex Capital, a leading transatlantic venture capital firm, has announced its first Florida-based investment. Miami’s RapidPulse, Inc., a privately-held medical device company, is developing a novel aspiration system to treat ischemic stroke, a major cause of death and disability worldwide. The RapidPulse™ Cyclic Aspiration System includes a novel aspiration pump to allow rapid removal of blood clots from the brain.
The RapidPulse system was developed by Syntheon, a technology incubator focused on developing next generation medical devices. Their various products, commercialized by the largest and most trusted medical device companies in the world, have treated over 50 million patients globally in applications ranging from laparoscopic surgery, cardiovascular and flexible endoscopy. Syntheon has been granted over 200 issued patents since its inception more than 20 years ago.
The new company aims to disrupt the field of ischemic stroke therapy by increasing the speed and consistency with which a physician can clear deadly clots and re-establish blood flow to the brain. The $15 million Series A financing includes Epidarex Capital, Santé Ventures, Hatteras Venture Partners, Broadview Ventures, and Syntheon. RapidPulse will use the proceeds to advance its RapidPulse Cyclic Aspiration System through expanded clinical evaluation, the build out of its platform of proprietary catheters and its move towards regulatory approval.
Epidarex’s investment in RapidPulse exemplifies the fund’s strategy of building exceptional life science companies in emerging hubs in the US and UK. Epidarex’s experienced team of early-stage investors partner with entrepreneurs and leading research institutions to transform world-class science into highly innovative products addressing major unmet needs in global healthcare.
Terri Burke, Venture Partner at Epidarex, commented “we are delighted to partner with Syntheon to help launch RapidPulse. Cyclic aspiration is a highly innovative approach that has shown promising early results in ischemic stroke patients. We look forward to accelerating the development of this novel technology.”
“We are pleased to have partnered with an outstanding investor syndicate to move our RapidPulse™ technology forward in the clinic,” said Sean McBrayer, CEO of Syntheon who will also serve as initial CEO of RapidPulse. “Stroke is the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability worldwide, and minutes matter in improving these outcomes. This investment will help us expand our clinical results and move towards regulatory approval in the United States.”
Joining the team are industry veterans Heather Harries and Cynthia Yang. Heather most recently served as General Manager for Terumo’s aortic business and will lead product development and operations for RapidPulse. Cynthia will lead clinical development for the company, after most recently working in the neurovascular division of Medtronic.
ABOUT RAPIDPULSE
RapidPulse, Inc. is a privately held medical device company that develops minimally invasive vascular products for ischemic stroke. The company is advancing the development of the RapidPulse™ Cyclic Aspiration System, which includes a novel aspiration pump to allow rapid and consistent removal of blood clots from the brain. RapidPulse is a spinout of Syntheon LLC., a medical device incubator dedicated to developing innovative products in the medical device industry. Visit www.rapidpulsemed.com for more information.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Terri Burke, news@epidarex.com