Evonik invests in company Vivasure Medical
Innovative Technology closes arteries: Evonik through its Venture Capital activities has invested in the Galway Ireland based medical device company Vivasure Medical Limited. The financing round was led by Netherlands based Life Science Partners Health Economics Fund and also joining the syndicate is Panakes Fund based in Milan Italy. Previous Vivasure investors from the med-tech space including Fountain Partners, Orchestra Medical Ventures and Ascent Biomedical Ventures are participating in the funding round as well.
"Solutions for health and medical technology are among the key growth areas for Evonik. Due to our technological competence in these areas and our existing product portfolio, Vivasure Medical fits strategically with Evonik", says Bernhard Mohr, Head of Venture Capital at Evonik. The Vivasure Closure Device is the first product from the company’s PerQseal™ technology platform, and is the only approved fully bioabsorbable, sutureless and entirely synthetic option to close large-bore arteriotomies that result from percutaneous transcatheter procedures. Worldwide these minimally invasive procedures are becoming prevalent in operations. In some areas they are already established as the standard. The reason: only small incisions are required to perform minimally invasive procedures, which are easier on patients.
"We are pleased to have Evonik, who can especially help us with its expertise in polymers for Pharma and Medical Device applications as a strategic partner," says Gerard Brett, Chief Executive Officer and one of the founders of Vivasure Medical. "The Vivasure closure device is designed to be easy to use, allowing the surgeon to provide a complete repair at the access site, without leaving metal implants, sutures, or exogenous tissue behind. Our goal is improved clinical outcomes, faster recovery times and better therapeutic results for patients over the open-surgery alternative.”
Vivasure Medical is utilizing RESOMER®, a bioabsorbable polymer from Evonik, which has already proved its value in numerous commercial applications. "The participation in Vivasure Medical offers us the chance to open up a new and exciting area of application for RESOMER®", says Jean-Luc Herbeaux, Head of Evonik’s Health Care Business Line.
Evonik in the context of its venture capital activities wants to invest in total €100 million in promising start-ups with innovative technologies and in leading, specialized venture capital funds. Regional focuses on Europe, the United States and Asia. Currently, Evonik holds stakes in nine start-ups and four funds. More information is available at http://venturing.evonik.com/.
Company information
Evonik, the creative industrial group from Germany, is one of the world leaders
in specialty chemicals. Profitable growth and a sustained increase in the value of the company form the heart of Evonik’s corporate strategy. Its activities focus on the key megatrends health, nutrition, resource efficiency and globalization. Evonik benefits specifically from its innovative prowess and integrated technology platforms. Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world. In fiscal 2015 more than 33,500 employees generated sales of around €13.5 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of about €2.47 billion.
Evonik Industries has been producing specialty chemical products in the Greater China region (Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan) since the late 1970’s; with wide-ranging trading relations already in place prior to this in the region. Evonik regards Greater China as one of the driving forces of the global economy and we consequently endeavor to grow our business in the region. The company now has around 3,000 employees in the Greater China region, the regional sales reached over €1.3 billion in 2015.
Disclaimer
In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.