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The Memo: Avertto Medical’s Vision for Continuous Stroke Monitoring

Under the direction of Founder and CEO Dr. Hilla Ben-Pazi, Avertto Medical is developing what it describes as the world’s first continuous stroke monitoring and alert system. Inspired by Ben-Pazi’s experience addressing stroke patients as a neurologist, the company is working to identify cerebrovascular changes before irreversible neurological damage occurs. By continuously monitoring carotid artery pulse waveforms and applying algorithm-driven analysis, Avertto aims to give clinicians an earlier opportunity to recognize and respond to evolving stroke events, potentially transforming how one of medicine’s most time-sensitive conditions is managed. Origin Story For Ben-Pazi, Avertto’s origins began at the bedside. “The inspiration came directly from my work as a neurologist seeing individuals with irreversible disabilities,” Ben-Pazi explained. “It was frustrating to see the devastating consequences of delayed stroke recognition.” While stroke treatments have improved dramatically, she ...
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The Memo: NeoCor Advancing a New Approach to Mitral Valve Repair

Under the direction of Founder and CEO Dr. George Kramer, NeoCor is developing a novel transcatheter solution for mitral and tricuspid valve disease. Guided by the philosophy of “One Medicine, One Health, One World,” the company’s CoApt Valve™ is being designed for both human and canine patients, combining a leaflet augmentation approach with an ultra-low profile delivery system intended to expand access to minimally invasive treatment. As NeoCor advances toward first-in-human studies, the company is positioning its technology to address one of structural heart’s largest remaining unmet needs. Origin Story NeoCor was founded by Dr. George Kramer, who serves as the company’s Founder and CEO. From the beginning, the company’s vision has extended beyond a single patient population. “Adhering to the philosophy of ‘One Medicine, One Health, One World,’ the CoApt Valve is being developed for both canine and human mitral valve disease,” Kramer explained. “It is designed to provide a minimally...
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Intracardiac Echocardiography: Why Medtronic Made Two Bets on the Same Technology

On June 3rd, Medtronic revealed a pair of investments that caught the attention of the electrophysiology market. The companies are located on opposite sides of the world, but they share a common focus: intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) catheters. One investment went to California-based Beluga Medical. The other went to Shenzhen-based CardioACC. Financial terms were not disclosed, but the significance of the deals extends well beyond the size of the checks. Together, the investments offer insight into where Medtronic believes cardiac ablation is heading and how it plans to strengthen the Affera platform as competition intensifies across electrophysiology. Why Intracardiac Echocardiography Has Become a Strategic Priority Medtronic has been clear about its intentions. The company plans to integrate ICE capabilities into its Affera mapping and ablation ecosystem. Rebecca Seidel, president of Medtronic’s Cardiac Ablation Solutions business, described ICE catheters as a core component of m...
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Male Contraceptives: Why Contraline’s $92.5M Raise Could Reshape the Category

On June 2nd, Contraline announced a $92.5 million Series B financing. While the size of the round is notable, the more meaningful signal comes from who participated. The financing was co-led by BVF Partners and RA Capital Management, two crossover funds that almost exclusively back therapeutics. Their participation suggests they see more than an interesting technology. They see the potential for an entirely new market with a drug-sized outcome. Here’s what the numbers reveal. The Investment Case for Male Contraceptives The biggest opportunity starts with what is missing. For decades, men have effectively had only two contraceptive choices: condoms and vasectomy. No new male method has reached the market in a generation. That helps explain why today’s global male contraceptives market is valued at only about $1.12 billion. The category remains small largely because there are so few products available, not necessarily because demand is limited. Research suggests the market could look ver...
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Medtech Startups to Watch: Five Standout Innovators from LSI Asia ’26

Every LSI event brings together dozens of companies developing new medical technologies, but a handful always leave a particularly strong impression. Following LSI Asia ‘26 in Singapore, LSI’s Market Intelligence team reviewed presentations from more than 70 companies to identify five medtech startups that stood out based on their technology, commercial potential, recent milestones, and the markets they are pursuing. One trend became immediately apparent. Many of this year’s most compelling innovators came from across the Asia-Pacific region, demonstrating that companies headquartered in Singapore, China, and Thailand are increasingly building technologies designed for global adoption rather than regional markets alone. Below are five companies that captured our attention and the market dynamics supporting each opportunity. Aqua Medical Aqua Medical is developing an endoscopic treatment designed to address type 2 diabetes through a minimally invasive procedure instead of lifelong dru...
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The Memo: Marine Biomedical Turning Mother of Pearl Into the Next Generation of Bone Grafts

Under the direction of CEO Rolee Kumar, Marine Biomedical is advancing a novel approach to bone regeneration by transforming mother of pearl from Western Australia’s pearling industry into a biomaterial designed to support natural bone healing. Built on research originating at the University of Western Australia, the company has developed PearlBone™, a marine-derived bone graft substitute that combines the consistency and scalability of manufactured materials with the biological architecture found in nature. With an FDA 510(k) submission under review, a planned clinical trial on the horizon, and manufacturing operations established in Broome, Marine Biomedical is working to bring an entirely new category of regenerative biomaterials to orthopedic surgeons. Origin Story Marine Biomedical’s roots can be traced back to the University of Western Australia and the work of regenerative medicine pioneer Professor Ming Hao Zheng, who recently received the Member of the Order of Australia for h...
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The Memo: Earflo Giving Families an Option Before Surgery

Under the direction of Co-Founder and CEO Intan Oldakowska, PhD, Earflo has brought to market an FDA-cleared, at-home medical device designed to treat the negative middle ear pressure that leads to fluid buildup and chronic ear infections and avoid the path toward surgery. By transforming treatment into something as familiar as drinking from a sippy cup, Earflo aims to address one of the most common pediatric conditions with a solution that is non-invasive, child-friendly, and designed for use at home. Following FDA clearance and a U.S. commercial launch, the company is now focused on expanding access for families while building evidence that earlier intervention can improve quality of life for both children and parents and help avoid ear tube surgery. Origin Story Earflo traces its roots to the Stanford Biodesign program, where innovators are trained to identify significant unmet clinical needs before ever thinking about solutions. For Oldakowska and her future co-founders, that proce...
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