Relief Cardiovascular, a portfolio company of inQB8 Medical Technologies, has raised $12 million in a Series A financing round to fund the development and first-in-human feasibility study of its innovative Relief System. The round was co-led by Broadview Ventures and Advent Life Sciences, with participation from Pacific Health Investment, Heartwork Capital, and an undisclosed multinational strategic investor.
The Relief System is a transcatheter smart implant designed to monitor and modulate renal vein pressures, addressing fluid management challenges in heart failure patients, particularly those resistant to diuretic treatments. The device incorporates a unique “puller” mechanism and integrated sensors to autonomously capture renal vein pressures and provide actionable, multiparametric data for personalized therapeutic interventions.
“This novel approach to volume management has the potential to redefine heart failure treatment,” said Shahzad Malik, MD, General Partner at Advent Life Sciences.
Leadership and Strategic Support
As part of the financing, Shahzad Malik, MD, and Maria Berkman, MD, Head of Medtech at Broadview Ventures, will join the Relief Cardiovascular Board of Directors.
“Heart failure imposes a tremendous burden on patients and healthcare systems,” noted Dr. Berkman. “The Relief System fills a critical gap in patient care, and we’re proud to support its advancement into the clinic.”
Clinical Validation and Expert Endorsement
The funds will accelerate the Relief System’s clinical evaluation, with an initial feasibility study designed to assess safety and efficacy. Experts in the field, including William T. Abraham, MD, of The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, and Alex Rothman, MD, of the University of Sheffield, have endorsed the system’s potential to enable data-driven, personalized care and improve outcomes for heart failure patients.
CEO Perspective
“This financing marks a pivotal milestone as we advance the Relief System into human clinical studies,” said Alex Cooper, CEO of Relief Cardiovascular. “With the support of world-class investors, clinicians, and our new board members, we are positioned to transform heart failure management.”
Relief Cardiovascular’s innovative technology represents a significant step forward in addressing the unmet needs of patients with diuretic-resistant heart failure, paving the way for a new era of personalized and effective care.
