Swiss firm finds a place in the hearts of the young and investors

Bioring SA, a Switzerland-based developer of heart valve implants, has made significant progress in commercialising an innovative device that repairs defective heart valves in children.

Unlike existing valves, it grows with them.

The heart ring is called Kalangos Biodegradable Ring, named after the surgeon who invented it, and works to reinforce the valvular orifices of the heart.

Normally, multiple surgeries are required to replace outgrown rings, which increase the risks of early patient mortality.

It is a biodegradable cardiovascular prosthesis made of an original polymer. The polymer creates a scar, which then acts as a natural part of a valve. In this way it “grows” with the patient.

It plans to cover the complete paediatric market, which the firms says, offers no comparable technology.

Quality assurance

CE regulatory approval in Europe is currently being applied for with trials currently underway. The firm is also applying for one of the highest international standards organisation’s quality assurance licenses.

Headed by Raymond Andrieu, an experienced entrepreneurial scientist, the firm raised some SFr 3.3 million in venture capital in 2002, according to a report in L’Agefi.

Andrieu says that finding venture capital funding for his company was not a problem, as he tapped into the First Tuesday Geneva network.

“The investors that attend such events are actively seeking good investments, but you have to be prepared and be able to speak in English,” he said in an interview.

As for the future, the Andrieu says Bioring’s technology can be applied to other health fields, such as urology for treating incontinence.

Valerie Thompson