Development of a transcatheter mitral valve repair technology

Offentlig prosjektsammendrag

Cardiomech AS is a Norwegian company established to utilize technology developed at Oslo University Hospital, St. Olavs Hospital, Oslo Met University and NTNU. The technology is related to catheter-based repair of the mitral valve. A very large patient group suffers from disorders that can be treated with Cardiomech's equipment. The company was established by mechanical engineer Nikolai Hiorth MSc, the doctor Jacob Bergsland, MD, PhD and Investors Espen Hiorth and Jan Håbrekke from Trondheim. After developing prototype and patenting, experiments were conducted at OUS and ST. Olav's hospital. These were very successful, but funding and organization were unable to cope with the next step in the commercialization process. Global leader of Boston Scientific's mitral initiative, Rick Nehm was recruited as CEO after assessing Cardiomech's technology. Nehm has experience from strategic and start-up companies working with flap technology. His vast network, experience and immense work have now enabled Cardiomech to finance a development course, where clinical studies are planned in 2023 after verification and validation of the equipment.