Veltist, a medtech startup spun out of ETH Zurich and Empa, has successfully raised €160,000 (CHF 150,000) in seed funding from Venture Kick. The company is developing AnastoSEAL, a next-generation surgical patch designed to prevent post-operative digestive leaks, a significant complication affecting millions of patients annually and resulting in substantial healthcare costs and mortality. This innovative patch combines high-performance adhesion with integrated imaging capabilities, allowing surgeons to monitor healing progress via standard ultrasound and CT scans.
The funding will be instrumental in advancing Veltist's progress towards regulatory approval. Specifically, the €160,000 will support crucial validation efforts, enabling the company to gather the necessary data for clinical trials. Veltist aims to commence clinical testing within the next three years, bringing this potentially life-saving technology closer to market.
Led by Dr. Alexandre Anthis, a researcher at ETH Zurich and co-inventor of the AnastoSEAL technology, Veltist leverages a modular platform merging implant and adhesive technologies. This approach allows the patch to adapt to surgical conditions and provide real-time feedback to surgeons, addressing a critical gap in current sealant technology.
Venture Kick's investment highlights the significant potential of AnastoSEAL and the Veltist team's expertise. The company's focus on addressing a major unmet need in surgical care positions it for substantial growth and impact within the medical device industry.
