HighLife (Paris) recently announced it raised €80 million (more than $90 million U.S.) for a U.S. pivotal study and expanded European commercialization of its TMVR system.
The successfully completed fundraise, announced Sept. 22, was co-led by Andera Partners, Sofinnova Partners, Supernova Invest and Mérieux Equity Partners. Other new investors joining the round included the European Investment Bank, BNP Paribas Développement, Capricorn Partners, Critical Path Ventures, Pro Benefis Familiae, SPRIM Global Investments Ltd., and a global strategic.
Existing investors USVP, Sectoral, and VI Partners also participated in the round.
In January, HighLife announced an important milestone: a CE mark for its transcatheter mitral valve replacement system, designed to provide a transfemoral mitral valve replacement option with native mitral annulus sizes between 30 mm and 53 mm. It uses a valve-in-ring concept, with both the ring and valve implanted percutaneously to mimic what Highlight officials call the surgical gold standard (annuloplasty ring plus valve).
In July, the company achieved a CE mark for its next-gen Clarity valve, built to further mitigate LVOT obstruction risk in TMVR.
“This financing represents an important milestone as HighLife continues to build momentum toward establishing its technology as a new treatment option for patients suffering from mitral regurgitation who have limited therapeutic alternatives. It will support HighLife’s strategic roadmap, by accelerating commercial expansion across Europe, advancing its pivotal clinical study and strengthening the organization to support long-term growth,” HighLife CEO Stefan Pilz said in a news release.
Rémi Spagnol, partner at Supernova Invest, said: “We believe transcatheter mitral valve replacement is reaching a critical inflection point. With differentiated technology, a highly experienced team and a strong financial foundation, we believe HighLife is particularly well positioned to establish itself as a global leader in this new therapeutic approach.”
