AuriGen Medical

AuriGen Medical, founded in 2015 by former intensive care physician Dr. John Thompson and medical device engineer Tony O'Halloran, is a medical device company based in Galway, Ireland. The founders met through the BioInnovate program at the National University of Ireland, Galway, combining their expertise in medicine and engineering to address the challenges of treating atrial fibrillation (AFib).

The company is focused on developing a novel cardiac implant to treat both the stroke and arrhythmia risk associated with long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation. The core of their technology is a single-shot, minimally invasive device that provides both electrical and mechanical isolation of the left atrial appendage (LAA). This approach is designed to prevent blood clots, which can lead to strokes, and to reduce the symptoms of arrhythmia. A key feature of the implant is its use of independent anchors, which allows for optimal placement and repositioning without causing trauma to the heart muscle.

AuriGen Medical operates in the healthcare sector, specifically within the cardiac device market, targeting patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. The company has achieved significant milestones, including securing a €2.5 million grant from the European Union's Horizon 2020 program and raising nearly €3 million through a successful crowdfunding campaign. The business model revolves around the development and future commercialization of this cardiac implant platform, which may also include synergistic modules for cardiac monitoring and ablation.

Keywords: atrial fibrillation, cardiac implant, medical device, left atrial appendage, stroke prevention, arrhythmia, cardiovascular, medtech, minimally invasive, electrophysiology