Medtech start-up Novostia raises CHF 6.5 million

Heart valve diseases affect more than 100 million people worldwide. Every year hundreds of thousands of patients undergo a heart valve replacement. Available technologies entail serious constraints: lifelong anticoagulant medication or further replacements due to limited valve durability.

Thanks to a unique patented design and the use of a high-performance biocompatible polymer, Novostia eliminates all these constraints as well as clicking noises. According to the company, Novostia’s heart valve should significantly reduce the healthcare costs, avoiding lifelong anticoagulant medication or repeated replacements procedures.

The heart valve has been tested in-vitro as well as in vivo. More than 100 successful long-term (up to 1.5 years) anticoagulant-free animal implants have been performed with no obstructive thrombosis.

Thierry Carrel promotes the development of the valve
Key opinion leaders, including internationally renowned cardiac surgeons, promote the development of the Lapeyre-Triflo valve. "I have been impressed by the Lapeyre-Triflo valve and look forward to starting first-in-man clinical trials. This valve has the potential to benefit thousands of patients, especially young people”, explains Prof. Thierry Carrel, M.D. University Hospital of Bern.

Novostia, based at Microcity in Neuchâtel, has now raised CHF6.5 million from private investors. The funds enable Novostia to advance its aortic and mitral heart valve to clinical trials. “Our technology should significantly improve the quality of life of people bearing a heart valve prosthesis, especially kids and young patients, while reducing overall healthcare costs. We appreciate the trust and support of our investors and look forward to bringing this long-awaited innovation to the patients and the physicians”, said Geoffroy Lapeyre, Novostia CEO.