Sequana Medical, founded in 2006 and based in Ghent, makes the alfapump, an implantable pump designed to eliminate the need for repeated therapeutic paracentesis in liver disease patients. The alfapump received FDA Breakthrough Device designation and PMA approval in December 2024. The company plans a US commercial launch in mid-Q3 2025, initially targeting 90 liver transplant centres and deploying a small specialised commercial team. Sequana is also continuing development of its Direct Sodium Removal (DSR) therapy for heart failure patients. Management says the new financing extends the company’s cash runway until the end of 2025 and positions the company to demonstrate the market opportunity for the alfapump. Sequana Medical develops implantable devices, notably the alfapump®, for management of refractory and malignant ascites and is advancing a Direct Sodium Removal (DSR) therapy for volume overload in heart failure. The alfapump® is CE‑marked, has been implanted in over 650 patients, and was included in the EASL clinical practice guidelines in April 2018. The company completed the alfapump® MOSAIC North American IDE feasibility study and has presented initial results at AASLD; the alfapump® has not yet received pre‑market approval in the U.S. Sequana is also developing an alfapump® DSR system with preclinical and animal data presented at EuroPCR 2018 and HFSA 2018 supporting safety and efficacy. The company relocated its corporate headquarters to Ghent, Belgium to strengthen commercial ties within the EU and access the Flanders life‑sciences ecosystem. With recent funding, Sequana plans to accelerate commercial growth, drive toward profitability in its European business, begin a North American pivotal study of the alfapump® for recurrent/refractory ascites, and commence first‑in‑human studies for DSR. Sequana Medical develops and commercializes the alfapump, an automated, fully implantable pump system that moves ascites to the bladder to prevent fluid build-up and related complications. The alfapump received CE Mark in 2011 and is currently available in 14 countries across Europe, the Middle East and South America. The system includes DirectLink Technology, which allows clinicians to monitor and manage treated patients. The company plans to use new funding to expand its business into additional indications in heart disease and to pursue U.S. marketing approvals. Sequana was founded in 2006 by Noel L. Johnson, Ph.D., who serves as CEO, and is based in Zurich, Switzerland. The recent financing is structured as a Series C extension to support commercialization and regulatory activities. Sequana Medical develops the alfapump, a fully implantable battery-powered pump system that automatically moves excess abdominal fluid (ascites) to the bladder for natural elimination. The company targets fluid overload in patients with liver disease, certain cancers and congestive heart failure; refractory ascites affects over 100,000 patients per year in Europe and the US. Sequana received CE-Mark for the alfapump in 2011 and is commercially active in several European countries. The company plans to use new funding for global commercial expansion, to initiate US clinical studies and to apply the alfapump technology to new clinical markets. Sequana was founded in 2006 and is led by CEO Noel L. Johnson, Ph.D.; Stephen McGill was newly appointed Vice President of Sales and Marketing. NovaShunt develops the ALFApump System, a proprietary implantable pump that continually removes excess abdominal fluid (ascites). The device is intended for patients suffering from liver cirrhosis, certain cancers and congestive heart failure. The company said it will use the proceeds from its CHF23.7m (about $25m) Series B to embark on European commercialization and to conduct clinical studies in the U.S. The Series B was co-led by BioMedInvest AG, Entrepreneurs Fund and Capricorn Health-tech Fund, with participation from existing investors NeoMed and VI Partners. Following the transaction, NeoMed retains its role as the lead investor and largest shareholder. As part of the financing, Thomas Moller (BioMedInvest), Els Hubloux (Capricorn) and Maciek Drozdz (Entrepreneurs Fund) will join NovaShunt’s Board of Directors.

Total raised

$94M

Funding rounds

5

Latest round

Equity

Latest activity

Mar 2025