Transcatheter Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) exclusion
Append Medical is an Israeli medtech startup that has developed the first no-implant minimally invasive solution for transcatheter Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) exclusion. Append Medical just completed a $7.4 million Series A financing round.
Originally developed based on the research of Prof. Leonid Sternik from the Sheba Medical Center, the company was founded and led by Dr. Zachi Berger with seed investment from the MEDX Xelerator, a leading MedTech incubator in Israel.
In recent years Israel has become known as the startup state or Startup Nation. The country has had multi-billion dollar exits for numerous software and security companies. But Startup Nations is also known for its medtech startups. Israel has always been a center for medical research and innovation. Now put that together with its startup culture and you have medtech nation.
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The Mayo Clinic explains that atrial fibrillation is an irregular and often rapid heart rate that can increase your risk of strokes, heart failure and other heart-related complications. During atrial fibrillation, the heart’s two upper chambers (the atria) beat chaotically and irregularly — out of coordination with the two lower chambers (the ventricles) of the heart. Atrial fibrillation symptoms often include heart palpitations, shortness of breath and weakness.
The Mayo Clinic also explains that Left atrial appendage closure has emerged as a feasible stroke prevention strategy in selected patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. But the procedure, as with all operations, comes with risks. Anytime that a person undergoes anesthesia and has a surgeon cut into their body there can be any number of unforeseen complications. For this reason, medical professionals always look for non-invasive options.
Append Medical, founded in 2017, develops the Appligator – a tool designed to reduce stroke risk in AF patients by excluding the LAA to prevent blood clot leakage with a minimally invasive transseptal intervention leaving no implant behind. Append Medical is a member of MEDX Xelerator, a med-tech incubator formed as a collaboration between Boston Scientific, Intellectual Ventures, MEDX Ventures and Sheba Medical Center. Zachi Berger is Append Medical’s CEO as well as a founder and an investor.
“This round will enable Append to continue developing its technology towards a clinical product. We are thrilled to see the accomplishment of the team so far”, noted Shai Policker, CEO of the MEDX Xelerator and Append’s Chairman.
“The growing problem of atrial fibrillation and the issues associated with anti-coagulants calls for innovation and we are happy to take part in supporting this important technology”, added Lifei Cheng, CEO of MedTecX.
