A new, magnet-based technology to destroy blood clots could improve the standard of care for ischemic stroke and deep vein thrombosis, says a St. Louis, Missouri medical device startup.
Pulse Therapeutics closed in on $3.1 million late last year for its technology, which is intended to improve the delivery of the thrombolytic drug tPA used in the emergency room as the standard of care for stroke.
The problem with tPA is that it must be delivered as soon as possible after an event, has a low rate of effectiveness and can increase bleeding risk. Pulse’s approach aims to improve the concentration and delivery of thrombolytic drugs at the clot, widening the window for treatment and minimizing side effects.
When Investment Rhymes with Canada
Canada has a proud history of achievement in the areas of science and technology, and the field of biomanufacturing and life sciences is no exception.
Earlier this year, the company closed a $1.65 million series A round led by BioGenerator, a St. Louis nonprofit life sciences group. It also won a $50,000 first-place prize from the 2011 St. Louis Regional Business Plan Competition last summer.
Formed in 2009, Pulse Therapeutics has successfully completed in vitro studies, according to the webpage of cofounder Francis Creighton, who along with cofounder Rogers Ritter used to be a scientist at St. Louis medical device company Stereotaxis Inc.
Stroke impacts at least 700,000 Americans each year, with at least 65 percent of patients experiencing debilitation that requires special care afterward.
