Taurus Vascular Company Profile

Background

Company Overview

Taurus Vascular is a Houston-based medical device company dedicated to enhancing long-term outcomes for patients with aortic aneurysms. Founded in 2022, the company emerged from the Texas Medical Center Innovation Biodesign program, uniting a team committed to reimagining the treatment of serious conditions like aortic aneurysms.

Mission and Vision

The company's mission is to develop safe, effective, and user-friendly medical devices that reduce the risk and impact of endoleaks following endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). By addressing this critical complication, Taurus Vascular aims to improve procedural outcomes and enable patients to lead longer, healthier lives post-repair.

Key Strategic Focus

Core Objectives

Endoleak Mitigation: Developing innovative solutions to prevent and manage endoleaks, a common and serious complication of EVAR procedures.

Minimally Invasive Solutions: Creating catheter-based technologies that are less invasive, aiming to reduce patient recovery times and improve overall outcomes.

Primary Markets

Taurus Vascular targets the global market for EVAR procedures, which encompasses over 250,000 procedures annually and represents a $3.2 billion market. The company's solutions are designed to address the significant healthcare burden associated with endoleaks, which contribute to over $1.5 billion in additional healthcare spending each year in the U.S. alone.

Financials and Funding

Funding History

Pre-Seed Funding: In 2022, Taurus Vascular received $300,000 in pre-seed funding from the Texas Medical Center Innovation Biodesign program to support initial concept development, prototype creation, proof-of-concept testing, intellectual property protection, and acute large animal testing.

Seed Funding: In December 2024, the company secured $1.4 million in seed funding to accelerate the development of its minimally invasive catheter solution aimed at addressing endoleaks.

Utilization of Capital

The funds raised are intended to expand the team, hire additional consultants and contractors, and achieve near-term milestones, including advancing the company's technology through preclinical and clinical development stages.

Pipeline Development

Key Pipeline Candidates

Taurus Vascular is developing a minimally invasive, catheter-based device designed to place a self-deploying stent between the high-pressure aneurysm sac and a nearby low-pressure vein. This device aims to facilitate continuous drainage of endoleaks and depressurization of the aneurysmal sac following EVAR, thereby reducing the risk of rupture and improving patient outcomes.

Development Stages and Milestones

Preclinical Studies: The company has completed initial large animal preclinical studies at the Texas Heart Institute to assess the feasibility of endovascular navigation to the aorta.

Regulatory Pathway: Taurus Vascular is evaluating the anticipated regulatory pathway and validating its reimbursement strategy with consultant experts.

Clinical Trials: The company plans to conduct chronic animal studies as part of its preclinical development, with the goal of progressing to human clinical trials in the future.

Technological Platform and Innovation

Proprietary Technologies

The company's flagship technology is a minimally invasive, catheter-based device that deploys a self-expanding stent to create a drainage pathway between the aneurysm sac and a nearby vein. This innovative approach aims to continuously drain endoleaks and depressurize the aneurysmal sac, addressing a significant unmet need in EVAR procedures.

Scientific Methodologies

Taurus Vascular employs advanced engineering and biomedical principles to design and develop its devices. The company leverages preclinical models, including large animal studies, to assess the feasibility and safety of its technologies before progressing to human trials.

Leadership Team

Matthew Kuhn – Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Matthew Kuhn is the Founder and CEO of Taurus Vascular. He holds a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Delaware and a Master's in Bioengineering from Rice University. Kuhn has over five years of experience at Johnson & Johnson in various roles covering nearly every stage of the medical device commercialization lifecycle. He is an inventor on more than 40 U.S. and international pending patents across diverse clinical specialties, including surgical oncology, laparoscopic surgery, and cardiovascular electrophysiology.

Melanie Lowther – Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer

Melanie Lowther co-founded Taurus Vascular and serves as its Chief Operating Officer. She previously held the role of Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Texas Children's Hospital. Lowther brings extensive experience in healthcare innovation and operations, contributing significantly to the company's strategic direction and operational execution.

Competitor Profile

Market Insights and Dynamics

The global market for EVAR procedures is substantial, with over 250,000 procedures performed annually, representing a $3.2 billion market. Endoleaks, a common complication of EVAR, impact up to 50% of patients and contribute to significant healthcare costs, highlighting the need for innovative solutions in this space.

Competitor Analysis

While there are no dedicated solutions currently indicated for the treatment of endoleaks following EVAR, several companies operate in the broader vascular device market:

LeMaitre Vascular: Specializes in vascular devices and implants, offering a range of products for vascular surgery. The company reported revenues of $219.86 million and a net income of $30.10 million, with a market capitalization of $2.03 billion.

Terumo Corporation: A global medical device company with a diverse portfolio, including cardiovascular products. Terumo has expanded its operations through various acquisitions, such as the purchase of Vascutek and Bolton Medical, forming Terumo Aortic to focus on aortic treatment options.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

Taurus Vascular has engaged with several partners to advance its mission:

Texas Medical Center Innovation Biodesign Program: Provided initial funding and support for concept development, prototype creation, and preclinical testing.

Texas Heart Institute: Collaborated on large animal preclinical studies to assess the feasibility of the company's endovascular navigation technology.

Rice University's OwlSpark Accelerator: Participated in the accelerator program to gain practical knowledge and skills crucial for building and growing the startup.

Operational Insights

Strategic Considerations

Taurus Vascular's focus on developing a dedicated solution for endoleaks positions it uniquely in the vascular device market. By addressing a significant unmet need, the company aims to differentiate itself from competitors and establish a strong market presence.

Competitive Advantages

Innovative Technology: The company's proprietary catheter-based device offers a novel approach to managing endoleaks, potentially improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

Experienced Leadership: The leadership team's extensive experience in medical device development and commercialization provides a solid foundation for the company's growth and success.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

Strategic Roadmap

Taurus Vascular plans to:

Advance Product Development: Continue preclinical studies and progress towards human clinical trials to validate the safety and efficacy of its technology.

Expand Partnerships: Seek additional collaborations with research institutions, healthcare providers, and industry partners to support development and commercialization efforts.

Secure Additional Funding: Pursue further funding opportunities, including grants and venture capital, to support ongoing research and development activities.

Future Business Directions

The company aims to:

Commercialize Technology: Achieve regulatory approval and bring its endoleak management device to market, targeting healthcare providers performing EVAR procedures.

Expand Product Portfolio: Develop additional products addressing other complications associated with vascular procedures, leveraging its core technology and expertise.