Swiss MedTech start-up Nanoflex Robotics has secured $12m in financing to commercialise its first-generation robotic platform and accelerate the development of new neuro-interventional products.
The funding round was led by venture capital firm Ascend Capital Partners. Kinled Holding and Mountain Labs also participated.
The firm offers products to diagnose and treat vascular disease, including acute ischemic stroke.
Nanoflex’s robotic platform is designed to use precise electromagnetic fields to guide magnetic devices through complex vascular anatomy.
The technology for generating and controlling electromagnetic fields for endovascular device navigation is based on research conducted at ETH Zurich, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, for more than 20 years.
The system offers tip control for magnetically adapted interventional devices directly, differing from conventional procedures, which require a transfer of torque to control the tip direction, often more than one meter down the device length.
Nanoflex’s first product will be a compact and mobile electromagnetic field generator that will allow easy movement between hospital interventional suites and only require access to a water-based cooling system.
The MedTech firm plans for a first-in-human trial and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) submission for its endovascular navigation platform in the third quarter of the year.
Nanoflex Robotics CEO Matt Curran said: “Nanoflex Robotics aims to revolutionise catheter-based treatment of neurovascular and vascular disease by enabling faster and safer access to target sites in the vasculature.
“Our robotic system allows precise and flexible steering of magnetically-adapted guide wires and catheters, while potentially decreasing X-ray exposure for the physician.
“We are excited to partner with Ascend Capital Partners, Kinled and Mountain Labs to make our goal of safe remote treatment for acute ischemic stroke a reality.”
