HEPTA Medical secures €5.7 million Series A, led by BPI France to advance minimally invasive lung cancer treatment

• Founded in 2019 by Sofinnova’s medtech acceleration team, MD Start
• The funds will be used for the 510(k) regulatory approval process for the first version of HEPTA Medical’s microwave ablation platform and to initiate its clinical trials

Suresnes, France, September 4, 2024 - HEPTA Medical (“HEPTA”), a private medical device company dedicated to providing an efficient, safe, and minimally-invasive thermal ablation therapy for early-stage lung cancer, today announced it has successfully raised €5.7M in the first close of its Series A funding round. The investment was led by BPI France with the participation of M&L Healthcare and Clery IG.

This financing round will enable HEPTA to initiate the US regulatory approval process for the first version of its microwave ablation platform and to commence its clinical trials. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. As lung cancer screening programs are being implemented, the management of early-stage lung cancer patients has become an increasingly urgent concern for healthcare organizations. HEPTA aims to address this need by offering a controlled, incision-less technology, that provides a minimally invasive approach to treat patients quickly, safely, and efficiently.

“We are grateful for our new investors, and excited to bring microwave ablation therapy to new heights. In August, we obtained our first proprietary patent, completing our three patent families under license. We have multiple upcoming milestones, including the release of early preclinical trial results conducted in collaboration with world-renowned centers, which we’ll publish at the CIRSE conference in September,” says Dr. Thomas Bancel, CEO of HEPTA Medical.

The chairman of the board of directors, Gérard Hascoët, a Sofinnova Venture Partner, will be joined by Philippe Boucheron and Jocelyn Kum as representatives for BPI France and M&L Healthcare, respectively.

“We are thrilled to be part of HEPTA Medical’s journey as they push the boundaries of innovation in minimally invasive lung cancer treatment. This investment aligns with our commitment to support groundbreaking medical technologies that have the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes. HEPTA’s unique approach to thermal ablation therapy, combined with their dedicated team and cutting-edge technology, positions them at the forefront of transforming lung cancer care. We are confident that HEPTA Medical will achieve significant milestones in the near future and are excited to support their continued growth and success,” comments Philippe Boucheron, Deputy Chief of Life Sciences Investments at BPI France.

HEPTA Medical was founded in 2019 by Sofinnova medtech acceleration team, MD Start. HEPTA develops a flexible microwave ablation probe compatible with any lung navigation system. It is equipped with a proprietary patented tissue temperature sensor that enables monitoring of the growth of the ablation zone in-situ and in real-time during endobronchial ablation procedures. The device also incorporates predictive software, powered by artificial intelligence, which combines procedural CT images and temperature measurements to display the ablation zone in real-time to the clinician during the procedure.