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TAVIguide™ supports transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)
Ghent, Belgium, January 19, 2015 / B3C newswire / - FEops, a pioneer in the field of patient-specific 3D simulations for cardiovascular interventions, is pleased to announce the closing of a €1.3 million series A financing round, led by Capricorn Venture Partners and PMV. The funding will be used to support the launch of FEops’ first product, TAVIguide™, in key markets in Europe and the US. TAVIguide™ is a cloud based pre-operative planning service for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI). Part of the proceeds will be dedicated to advance clinical development of the technology and diversify the pre-operative planning services offered to include additional cardiovascular interventions.
“FEops’ TAVIguide™ technology will help cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons improve pre-operative Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation planning and further enhance the safety and efficacy of TAVI procedures,” states Peter Mortier, CTO of FEops. “While current TAVI planning relies on pre-operative imaging such as echography or computed tomography (CT), accurate measurements of the pre-operative patient anatomy are insufficient to avoid complications. By combining pre-operative CT imaging with advanced computer simulations, our clinical evidence clearly shows that the TAVIguide™ technology can predict how a certain medical device will interact with a specific patient. Based on these insights, the physician gets a better view on the device-patient interaction, prior to the intervention, thus allowing optimal personalized device selection and risk management”.
Matthieu De Beule, CEO of FEops, concludes: “The current series A financing round enables us to bring this novel technology as a cloud service from the bench to the bedside and paves the way for developing a portfolio of physics-based simulation planning tools for other cardiovascular procedures. We appreciate the support and trust of a syndicate of strong investors and are pleased to welcome Marc Lambrechts and Alexandra Tolia to our Board of Directors.”
Marc Lambrechts, Senior Investment Manager at Capricorn Venture Partners, is convinced that FEops has developed a future oriented strategy: “Reducing cost and improving outcome is a key driver for digital healthcare innovations, the main focus area of the Capricorn ICT Arkiv. With a service such as TAVIguide™, complications will be reduced thanks to an improved understanding of the device-patient interaction by the interventional cardiologist. Better understanding and fewer complications will result in a better treatment at a lower overall cost.”
Dr Alexandra Tolia, Senior Investment Manager at PMV, commented: “We are truly excited to support FEops in translating a very promising technology into a series of products that can transform the way minimally-invasive cardiac valve replacement procedures are performed now and in the future. Through our Flanders Care Invest fund we aim exactly at nourishing entrepreneurship to stimulate breakthrough innovations in all aspects of healthcare. We are convinced that the patient-centric tools developed by FEops are uniquely positioned to advance cardiovascular practice and our healthcare in general.”
About FEops
FEops, a Ghent University spin-off founded in 2009, has developed novel simulation technology that provides unique insights to cardiovascular device manufacturers and physicians. The most advanced application is a cloud based pre-operative planning service for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI). Also advanced pre-operative planning tools for other cardiovascular devices such as trans catheter mitral valves will be included in the offering after further development.
About Capricorn Venture Partners
Capricorn Venture Partners is an independent European manager of venture capital and equity funds, investing in innovative European companies with technology as competitive advantage. The investment team of Capricorn is composed of experienced investment managers with deep technology expertise and a broad industrial experience. Capricorn Venture Partners is investing out of the venture capital funds Capricorn Cleantech Fund, Capricorn Health-tech Fund and Capricorn ICT Fund. In addition it is the asset manager of Quest for Growth, quoted on NYSE Euronext Brussels, and the investment manager of Quest Cleantech Fund, sub-fund of Quest Management SICAV.
About PMV
PMV nv is an independent investment company. It invests in companies contributing to sustainable economic development in the region of Flanders. PMV collaborates with private partners either directly, via funds or public-private partnerships. Particular emphasis is placed on life sciences and care, sustainable industries, cleantech, and infrastructure for the future. PMV manages a portfolio of EUR 900 million in assets. PMV also undertakes commissions on behalf of the Flemish Region.
Flanders’ Care Invest is PMV’s venture capital fund, specifically dedicated to young companies that have significant growth potential in developing innovative products, technology and services for the healthcare sector.
For more information
Matthieu De Beule, PhD
CEO
FEops NV
Technologiepark 3
B-9052 Gent (Belgium)
M : +32 (0)474 238 698
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Dr Jos B. Peeters
Managing Director
Capricorn Venture Partners NV
Lei 19/1
B-3000 Leuven (Belgium)
T : +32(0)16 28 41 00
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Frank Kindt
Communications manager
PMV
Oude Graanmarkt 63
B-1000 Brussel (Belgium)
M : +32 (0)472 420 790
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