For therapeutic hypothermia device companies, the clinical trials that came before have been inconclusive, but they have provided insights to incorporate into the development of next-generation technologies. START-UP interviews two hypothermia device companies with novel approaches: Thermocure and ThermopeutiX.

Therapeutic hypothermia has shown promise as a neuroprotective treatment for a variety of applications, including cardiac arrest and neonatal hypoxic brain injury. Now companies with temperature management technologies are conducting clinical trials and developing new cooling devices with an eye toward cooling the brain in patients who experience an acute ischemic stroke – an indication with an estimated worldwide market potential of $3 billion annually.

With a total market potential estimated in the multibillion-dollar range, the drug-coated balloon opportunity is attracting a growing list of competitors, including several leading multinational cardiovascular device companies that have entered the space via recent acquisitions. DCBs still need to prove their worth in large, long-term clinical trials, but the ultimate proving point for DCBs could center on cost: if they can offer an effective treatment option that is significantly less expensive than existing devices, DCBs may provide a compelling economic argument.

A roundup of recent medtech mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and financings.