Here is another intriguing potential competitor to World Heart. I met a venture capitalist who had invested in APEX Medical. They are farther behind World Heart in the approvals process, but offer some advantages. If anyone knows any more, please post...
Apex Implantable LVAD Gets Funding
Zero Stage Capital Company has committed $1.5 million to help Apex Medical Inc develop a fully implantable, self
contained heart assist device to help patients recover from congestive heart failure. They are rounding up other investors
in an expected $6 million first round of funding for the project. Apex's approach is based on minimum moving parts,
better than existing pumps, which tend to be large and heavy. A vice president of Zero Stage Capital says, "The way the
Apex LVAD mimics actual heart action is the key to reliable operation. This is unique and promises to single out this
device over the long term." He added that the new device uses technology initially developed by IBM. This technology is
patent protected in the USA, and patents have been applied for in 21 other countries. Animal testing of the LVAD is set
to begin later this year.
The Apex CEO Kuchta said "Our pump, in contrast to other LVADs, uses a reciprocating valved piston to produce a
pulsating blood flow, uses the patient's blood as a lubricant, and has no hard bearing surface contacts. The pump is
designed for long term reliability and to reduce infection risk. While 2,500 hearts in the USA are available each year for
transplant, up to 40,000 people could benefit from them. As our population ages, the problem becomes worse, since
successful transplants require healthy hearts." The APEX device is intended for end-stage heart failure patients
who are awaiting transplant. A follow-on design will use the device with a blood pressure sensor and
monitoring device as a long-term alternative to heart transplant. |
