Katalyst Surgical

Katalyst Surgical, LLC, established in 2009, operates as a specialized manufacturer of ophthalmic surgical instruments. The firm was founded by Gregg Scheller, a serial entrepreneur in the medical device sector with a career spanning over 30 years and multiple successful ventures. Scheller's journey in the industry began long before Katalyst, with the co-founding of Advanced Surgical Products in 1986, which introduced the first disposable light pipe for retina surgery. He later founded Synergetics, growing it into a NASDAQ-listed company, an experience that honed his expertise in the ophthalmic and neurosurgery markets. This extensive background in surgical innovation directly shaped Katalyst's focus.

The company's business model centers on the design, manufacturing, and direct sale of high-quality titanium instruments for ophthalmic procedures, serving retina surgeons and other medical practitioners. Katalyst's value proposition includes offering its titanium products at prices competitive with stainless steel alternatives and an "Unlimited Lifetime Replacements Program," which allows customers to replace a broken instrument with a new one at a 50% discount. The product line is extensive, covering both anterior and posterior segment procedures with tools like forceps, scissors, dilators, and unique devices for membrane peeling. A key product is the Awh MVP™ Micro Vacuum Pick, developed in collaboration with Dr. Carl Awh, which provides a novel method for removing retinal membranes without forceps, aiming to make a difficult part of retina procedures safer and more efficient.

The company's history is marked by consistent development and strategic collaborations. Working with surgeons like Dr. Carl Awh has been a cornerstone of its R&D process, resulting in dozens of product iterations to meet clinical needs. This focus on surgeon feedback and iterative design led to advancements such as stiff-shafted technology for smaller gauge instruments and the use of 3D printing for high-performance handles. In April 2022, Katalyst Surgical, along with its sister company Kogent Surgical, was acquired by Carl Zeiss Meditec, a global leader in medical technology. The acquisition was a strategic move for Zeiss to strengthen its position as a surgical solutions provider and add a recurring revenue stream. At the time of the sale, Katalyst Surgical had reported revenues of $12 million. Gregg Scheller continued as Head of Surgical Innovation at Zeiss for a period post-acquisition before retiring. Keywords: ophthalmic surgical instruments, retina surgery, Gregg Scheller, titanium instruments, Awh MVP Micro Vacuum Pick, Carl Zeiss Meditec acquisition, vitreoretinal surgery, membrane peeling, medical device manufacturing, ophthalmic tools, posterior segment surgery, anterior segment surgery, microsurgical instruments, surgical instrument design, retina forceps, ophthalmic R&D, eye surgery tools, Synergetics founder, Advanced Surgical Products, medical technology