Uptake Medical

Uptake Medical, founded in 2005 by Robert Scribner, focused on developing treatments for lung diseases. The company's core offering was the InterVapor® platform, a bronchoscopic thermal vapor ablation system designed for targeted lung volume reduction in patients with severe emphysema. This procedure involved delivering heated water vapor to a specific segment of the lung, inducing a natural healing response that led to volume reduction, thereby improving respiratory mechanics for the patient. This method distinguished itself by not requiring permanent implants. The primary clients for this technology were interventional pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons in hospitals and specialized clinics. Uptake Medical operated within the medical device market, specifically targeting the pulmonology and respiratory care sectors. Its business model centered on the sale of the InterVapor generator and the associated single-use catheters to medical facilities. In 2016, the company was acquired by Broncus Medical, a firm also developing diagnostic and therapeutic technologies for lung conditions. This acquisition integrated Uptake Medical's InterVapor technology into Broncus's broader portfolio, which includes systems for navigating to peripheral lung nodules.

The company's founder, Robert Scribner, brought significant experience from the medical device industry to the venture. Prior to establishing Uptake Medical, he held the position of President and CEO at BEI Medical, a company specializing in gynecological and urological devices that was later acquired by Boston Scientific. His career also includes executive roles at Scimed Life Systems, which also became part of Boston Scientific. This background in leading and successfully exiting medical technology companies provided a strong foundation for developing and navigating the regulatory and commercial pathways for a novel device like InterVapor.

Keywords: lung disease treatment, emphysema, endoscopic lung volume reduction, InterVapor, bronchoscopic thermal vapor ablation, medical device, pulmonology, respiratory care, Robert Scribner, Broncus Medical