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DEALFLOWUPDATE
Issue #25. Friday, February 8

Hello everyone,

For this edition of the Zoic newsletter, we will be again reviewing a range of medical device technologies that represent the breadth of what could potentially meet our metrics but also what we are seeing move through our deal flow. In particular, this week’s deals feature minimally invasive surgery, imaging, and at-home medical diagnosis.
-Neal

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Dealflow

Abbott to acquire mitral valve device maker Cephea Valve Tech

Minimally invasive surgery continues, with uses in even complex procedures such as heart and cancer removal operations. New technologies continue to emerge to make this possible, which reduce surgery time and complications. For example, a recent acquisition was for a heart valve replacement that can be delivered through a vein the leg. The complex operation can then be done without the need for open heart surgery, a major reduction in risk and time for the patient, physician, hospital and health care system. Read More
 
Medtronic boosts cardiac ablation with EPIX acquisition deal

Continuing the theme of minimally invasive surgery and cardiovascular operations, there are also new innovations in delivering therapy through catheters and stents. For example, an upcoming acquisition is for a system to treat cardiac arrhythmias with radiofrequency waves. Also interesting is this is another example of a technology acquired with just European (or CE Mark) approval and limited US approval, rather than the previous trend of later acquisitions after both European and US approval. Read More

 
New ultra-precise ultrasound technology to provide clearer medical images for doctors

Related to minimally invasive surgery is the continued advance of imaging modalities, as these are essential for diagnosing and guiding these operations. Ultrasound continues to be widespread for these applications, but there are also new ways to use the sound waves themselves. We have encountered new ventures using ultrasound to probe organs non-invasively, for example, in order to diagnose liver diseases. There are also new research discoveries to dramatically increase the sensitivity of ultrasound to be able to detect even molecular movements. Read More

 
Johnson & Johnson teams with Apple study to help reduce the risk of strokes

Finally, at-home diagnostics is always a focus area, with the continued crossover between consumer electronics and healthcare. For example, using existing devices to continuously monitor patients might be useful to reduce overall risk from conditions such as cardiovascular disease and stroke risk. Technologies will be constantly acquired in order to add capabilities to these consumer devices to improve this model. Read More

 
Apple and Aetna are teaming up on a new app to help track and reward healthy behavior

Furthermore, this collaboration will be not only with device companies but also with health care providers. Providers themselves will fund or even partner with new technology ventures in order to improve patient monitoring and data gathering. Mobile devices will continue to increase their data gathering capabilities, expanding beyond simple motion and location to more detailed health metrics. Read More

 
Spotlight
#PortfolioNews

Alzheimer’s is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S. 1 in 3 seniors die of Alzheimer’s or another dementia. It kills more people than breast and prostate cancer combined. Zoic portfolio company, Optina Dx has a diagnostic that can see the very beginning of Alzheimer’s disease starting 8-10 years before any dementia is apparent and has the world’s first/best demonstration of cerebral amyloid detection (vs blood tests). Zoic Capital is excited that Optina Dx continues their breakthrough work with the closing of their series A funding. Zoic Capital led Optina Dx’s seed stage funding. Big pharma companies have over 25 new drugs in Phase 3 trials that will be able to treat the disease in the next few years. So this test for early detection will be even more valuable. Congratulations to the team at Optina Dx.

Press Release
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Source: Alzheimer’s Association. 2018 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures

 
What We’re ReadingPOL
How Your Health Information Is Sold And Turned Into ‘Risk Scores’

 FOR
Transformational Medicine: It Starts And Ends With Patients

 QUA
The Fundamental Problem With Silicon Valley’s Favorite Growth Strategy

 FOR
Joshua Gans Weighs In On Marketing Disruption Through AI


 
Connect With Zoic Capital
The Biweekly Dealflow Update, curated by the team at Zoic Capital.

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