Vittamed raises $10M Series A to get noninvasive intracranial pressure monitor through FDA

"Vittamed 505" noninvasive cerebrovascular autoregulation monitor--Courtesy of Vittamed

Measuring the amount of pressure on the brain within the skull currently requires various invasive procedures such as intraventricular catheters or lumbar puncture. Now, Boston-based startup Vittamed is hoping it can offer the first noninvasive, reliable means to  measure intracranial pressure.

In fact, the company has already done clinical testing to compare its monitor to these invasive means. It found Vittamed's intracranial pressure monitor to be comparable to the current standard, invasive tests. The monitor already has a CE mark in Europe and is in an ongoing U.S. trial conducted by the National Space Biomedical Research Institute to assess intracranial pressure in astronauts.

Its new $10 million Series A financing is expected to be enough to back the launch of the monitor in Europe and Australia, as well as a 510(k) submission in the U.S. followed by commercialization there.

Malaysian life sciences investor Xeraya Capital led the financing with an $8 million commitment, with additional financing from Imprimatur Capital and other undisclosed investors.

"Intracranial pressure measurement is a standard of care in the assessment of brain injury," said Xeraya CEO Fares Zahir in a statement. "We believe the innovative, non­invasive methods developed by Vittamed will allow the widespread use of safe and cost effective assessments of intracranial pressure in traumatic brain injury, hydrocephalus and stroke."

The technology works via ultrasound probes that are used to measure blood flow in the ophthalmic artery. It was found comparable to intraventricular catheters and lumbar puncture in multicenter clinical trials, the company said. The device does not require calibration by individual users.

In addition to the Vittamed 205 noninvasive intracranial pressure system, the company also markets the Vittamed 505 noninvasive bedside monitor for assessing cerebrovascular autoregulation.

- here is the announcement