Cohera snags $17M to support TissuGlu

Cohera Medical raised $17 million to support its TissuGlu technology--courtesy of Cohera Medical

Pittsburgh's Cohera Medical has closed a $17 million Series D, money the company will use to expand the adoption of its TissuGlu surgical adhesive and support a large-scale trial targeting FDA approval.

TissuGlu is an internal adhesive designed to stick to tissue flaps during surgery, working to reduce the buildup of fluids that can accumulate while patients heal and cut back the need for postoperative drains, the company says. The use of drains is a huge detriment to patient comfort and can forestall healing times, Cohera says, meaning the innovative TissuGlu serves a large unmet need.

In addition to supporting that product's path to market, Cohera plans to use its new cash to kick off human trials for its Sylys Surgical Sealant, designed to reduce leakage in colorectal procedures.

"Our products have the potential to revolutionize how patients recover from many types of large flap procedures," CEO Patrick Daly said in a statement. "From abdominoplasties and mastectomies to lymph node dissection in cancer patients and bowel procedures, our adhesive and sealant technologies will transform patient experiences."

In December, the FDA approved Cohera's plan to test TissuGlu on 130 patients undergoing abdominal surgery in the U.S. The product has been CE marked since 2011, and Cohera is already marketing it in Germany.

The latest funding round follows a $25 million Series C closed in late 2011.

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