Participated · Series D · Mar 2024

Phagenesis is a Manchester-based company that developed the Phagenyx® Neurostimulation System, which uses pharyngeal electrical stimulation (PES) to target and restore the neurological components of swallowing disrupted by brain injury or prolonged mechanical ventilation. The therapy aims to help patients who cannot safely eat, drink, or manage saliva due to dysphagia, a condition that can lead to pneumonia and higher healthcare costs. The company recently received FDA approval for Phagenyx® in the United States. Phagenesis intends to use new funding to support commercialization in the U.S. and deepen penetration in Europe, as well as to expand operations and development efforts. The financing will also support clinical trials, regulatory activities, and research and development of pipeline products. The company was co-founded in 2007 by Dr. Conor Mulrooney and Professor Shaheen Hamdy and is led by CEO Reinhard Krickl. Phagenesis develops Phagenyx®, a device-based treatment for dysphagia that delivers a brief electrical stimulus to the oropharynx. The Phagenyx treatment is applied 10 minutes a day for three consecutive days and peer-reviewed randomized clinical trials have shown it to be safe and effective in improving safe swallowing. Phagenyx received a CE Mark in 2012 and the company plans to use new funding to launch the treatment in additional territories and to expand clinical testing in new patient groups. Dysphagia affects roughly half of stroke patients and can lead to pneumonia and long-term tube feeding, underscoring the clinical need Phagenesis targets. Financially, the company previously raised a £2 million Series A in 2010 and announced a €7m Series B in 2011; it has since expanded its Series B to $17m. Phagenesis develops a clinically proven device to treat dysphagia, particularly in stroke patients during the first weeks of hospitalization. The company is adapting and testing a new version of its device to treat long-term dysphagia in community settings. Dysphagia affects more than one million stroke victims in Europe and North America each year and can lead to malnutrition, pneumonia, and reduced quality of life. Phagenesis says current standard care often consists of pureed food, thickened liquids, or tube feeding, and there is no generally accepted treatment. The company has previously completed a £2 million Series A in 2010 and a €7 million Series B in 2011. With the new funding, Phagenesis aims to extend its hospital-focused therapy into outpatient and community care to reach more long-term dysphagic patients. Phagenesis is developing a medical device that delivers a precisely sequenced and calibrated electrical signal to the pharynx to treat dysphagia. Peer-reviewed clinical trials have shown the treatment is safe and effective in improving patients' safe swallowing ability. The company announced it will use the proceeds of its recent financing to accelerate its development plans. Leadership includes CEO Daniel Green and the technology originates from academic founder Professor Shaheen Hamdy. Phagenesis previously raised a £2 million Series A in 2010. The company is based in Manchester, England. Phagenesis Limited, founded in 2007 and based in Manchester, UK, develops a technology to treat swallowing dysfunction. Its core product is a device that delivers electrical pulses to the throat region to “awaken” the brain and help restore swallowing function. The company targets dysphagia in stroke patients, a condition the article says affects at least 50% of stroke victims. Dysphagia can severely reduce quality of life and often leads to inhalation of liquids and life‑threatening pneumonia. Phagenesis has raised £2m from undisclosed investors to support development of a new class of treatments and to fund design and clinical trials. CEO Daniel Green said the investment will enable design and clinical trials of a production device which they expect to be available globally.

Participated · Series B · Jan 2021

Mivi Neuroscience is an Eden Prairie, Minn.-based medical device company focused on improving clinical outcomes for ischemic stroke patients. It develops and commercializes neurointerventional devices, including its two flagship products, the Q™ Aspiration System and the DAISe™ Thrombectomy System. Its product portfolio is designed to reduce complications, shorten procedure times and expand treatment to more patients. The company closed a $35M Series B in new money plus the conversion of previously issued convertible notes to fund clinical trials and subsequent commercialization. Proceeds will also support expansion of commercial operations outside the United States and the development of several innovative devices to support and enhance its products. The company is led by CEO Bob Colloton. MIVI Neuroscience develops medical devices for neuro-interventional procedures, with a product portfolio designed to improve outcomes and shorten procedure times. Its tools aim to enable easier access to smaller, difficult-to-treat cerebral vessels and potentially expand treatment to more patients. The company’s devices are positioned for endovascular stroke therapy, a field that has seen significant global growth since pivotal clinical trials in 2015–2016. MIVI aims to make treatment available to more patients by providing access to smaller vessels in the brain. The article reports that Concord Health Partners has completed an investment in MIVI, reflecting investor interest in its proprietary technologies that may lower costs and enhance the value of care.

Participated · Equity · Jul 2011

SurgiQuest develops, manufactures and markets access technologies for minimally invasive surgery, notably the AirSeal System. The AirSeal System provides access to the abdominal cavity during minimally invasive surgery (MIS). The company intends to use recently raised capital to expand organizational capabilities and increase global adoption of the AirSeal System. SurgiQuest closed a combined $18.5m equity and debt financing in late September 2012. The financing supports the company’s commercialization and expansion efforts. SurgiQuest was founded in May 2006 by Kurt Azarbarzin and is based in Milford, Conn. SurgiQuest develops, manufactures and markets access technology for minimally invasive surgery from Orange, Connecticut. Its patented AirSeal® Access System provides access to the abdominal cavity during minimally invasive procedures. The system is designed to assure stable pneumoperitoneum, evacuate smoke and plume when electrocautery, laser or ultrasound devices are used, and to provide valve-free access during both laparoscopic and robotic procedures. Founded in May 2006 by CEO Kurt Azarbarzin, the company focuses on innovative access solutions for surgery. SurgiQuest closed a $19M financing round in September 2011 and plans to use the funds to expand its sales efforts domestically and abroad.