25-10-2024 cardiovascular, radiation oncology, interventional systems, diagnostic imaging

Demcon invests in Kaminari Medical

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Heart set on pioneering imaging technology

Demcon investment has invested in Kaminari Medical, an Erasmus MC spin-off developing groundbreaking imaging technology for cardiovascular care. By combining advanced photoacoustic imaging and ultrasound, it has come up with a better way to visualize stenosis in coronary arteries. This, in turn, will pave the way for more effective cardiac catheterizations and improve patient care. Demcon life sciences & health already played a part in product development and Demcon investment has now joined a €3.8 million investment round. This round will provide Kaminari Medical with the necessary funding to accelerate product development, expand clinical evidence and prepare for market launch.

Coronary artery stenosis is one of the causes of cardiovascular disease. While stenosis due to plaques rich in lipids, such as cholesterol and other fats is currently the greatest threat faced by cardiovascular patients, today’s diagnostic tools are unable to accurately identify these high-risk plaques. Interventional cardiologists therefore have limited information at their disposal in devising an optimal treatment strategy, which can consist of determining where to place stents during cardiac catheterization or selecting the most appropriate medication.

Photoacoustic imaging and ultrasound combined
The combination of laser-based photoacoustic imaging and ultrasound provides real-time insight into the shape and composition of plaques, giving interventional cardiologists the information they need to accurately assess the coronary arteries. Using these insights, they can effectively predict and prevent serious heart disease, including heart attacks, help reduce unnecessary catheter use and save lives. This new intravascular imaging technology was originally developed by specialists at Erasmus MC and has now been patented. In 2020, Kaminari Medical spun off from Erasmus MC to further develop and ultimately market the novel technology.

New round of investment
Kaminari Medical recently completed an investment round totaling 3.8 million euros, including 2.3 million euros from Graduate Entrepreneur Deep Tech Seed Capital, NLC (Health Impact Fund and Momentum), Libertatis Ergo Holding (Leiden University) and Demcon investment. The round was filled out by a 1.5 million euro innovation credit from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. This new funding round will enable Kaminari Medical to accelerate development of its groundbreaking photoacoustic and ultrasound platform, initiate clinical trials and work toward market launch.

Improving cardiovascular diagnostics
Kaminari Medical CEO Jeroen Kodde is very grateful to all investors, which also included NWO Take-off Phase 2, UNIIQ – Finance for the Future and Erasmus MC. “We are glad that they share our vision on improving cardiovascular diagnostics.” This funding will allow us to accelerate the development of our technology, put it in the hands of healthcare providers and ultimately improve care for millions of patients with cardiovascular disease.”

Financial commitment from technology partner
Jemy Pauwels, managing director of Demcon investment, endorses Kaminari Medical’s vision and praises the tenacity of CEO Jeroen Kodde. “He has succeeded in drawing key opinion leaders from the cardiology field and investors to his company, and therefore bringing this investment round to a successful end. We are all too pleased to contribute to developing this technology through Demcon life sciences & health, which is closely involved in product development, and with funding. This new step showed the other investors that we, a technology partner, are sufficiently confident in Kaminari Medical to warrant making a financial commitment. Demcon production might even be able to play a part in production in the future, as we do have a penchant for long-term partnerships. We will support Kaminari Medical with our comprehensive expertise in medical product development and certification, as well as qualified production. Ultimately, we want this technology to help make a positive impact on the lives of patients with cardiovascular disease and their loved ones.”

 

About Demcon investment
Demcon investment is affiliated with the international Demcon group as an independent investment company. Demcon investment responsibly and successfully invests in tech companies that operate in growth markets relevant to Demcon’s business interests. These companies develop technological solutions to social challenges and are eager to collaborate with Demcon as a technology partner and/or manufacturer. Demcon investment provides venture capital and, together with other Demcon companies, can also provide a wide range of support services, including active guidance and coaching of the holdings.

Demcon (1,100+ employees) develops, manufactures and delivers technology and innovative products. The Demcon group has multiple branches in the Netherlands, Germany, Japan and Singapore. The company was born out of its founders’ passion for combining creativity and technical skills to solve complex technological and social issues. On top of that, Demcon is committed to fostering entrepreneurship and investing in talent and education.

About Kaminari Medical
Kaminari Medical was founded in 2020 as a spin-off from Rotterdam’s Erasmus Medical Center. As a medical technology company, it develops breakthrough intravascular imaging technology. By combining advanced photoacoustic imaging with ultrasound, Kaminari Medical enables physicians to make more informed decisions during major cardiovascular procedures.