CorInnova has been awarded second prize in the “2017 InnoSTARS” life science competition for its EpicHeart soft-robotic heart assist device. The on-blood-contacting device is designed to be delivered minimally invasively to support heart function.
A press release reports that 2017 InnoSTARS life science competition is hosted by the US China Innovation Alliance (UCIA), China Science and Technology Exchange Center (CSTEC), and China Association for International Science and Technology Cooperation (CAISTC). It is supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of People’s Republic of China (MOST).
The competition is to provide US-based innovators and companies with a better understanding of the opportunities available to companies interested in doing business in China as well as well as direct interface with qualified Chinese partners and investors.
By invitation as a semi-finalist, CorInnova was awarded the trip to China and CorInnova CEO William Altman travelled to Beijing, Tianjin, and Kunming as one of eight semi-finalist life science companies to compete, meet with investors and visit innovation hubs. A total of 300 companies applied to the 2017 InnoSTARS competition across several industry sectors for the opportunity to participate in the business-to-business matchmaking in China.
Altman comments: “This InnoSTARS recognition is further validation that our EpicHeart technology is innovative and groundbreaking. We believe it will lead to a new paradigm for heart failure treatment. Currently, less than 2% of end-stage heart failure patients are treated by transplant or by left ventricular assist devices (LVADs). Only about 8% are considered eligible for LVADs due to the invasive surgery required for implantation.”
He adds: “We believe that our new approach with EpicHeart will potentially quadruple the number of patients who could benefit from a minimally invasive heart assist device. Like the introduction of pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators to patients with electrical abnormalities affecting heart function, EpicHeart has the potential to transform the treatment of heart failure patients worldwide.”
