Sub-Q Bionics, a medical device company, has closed a $1.5 million pre-seed round and signed a licensing agreement with Mayo Clinic to advance what it says is the world’s first implantable bionic lymphatic drainage system for lymphedema.
The pre-seed round includes investment from Mayo Clinic and Yeda, the technology transfer arm of the Weizmann Institute of Science, alongside private investors and matching funds from the Israel Innovation Authority. Through the separate licensing agreement, Sub-Q Bionics has licensed clinical know-how from Mayo Clinic related to reconstructive and lymphatic surgery, with plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Vahe Fahradyan joining as a clinical collaborator.
The technology is a subcutaneous implant designed to automatically manage lymphatic fluid, reducing swelling, pain, and mobility limitations while allowing patients freedom of movement. It is based on scientific innovations from the Weizmann Institute and Shamir Medical Center.
Lymphedema is a chronic condition caused by impaired lymphatic drainage that commonly occurs following cancer treatment – particularly among breast cancer survivors, making this squarely a women’s health issue despite rarely being categorized as one. The condition affects millions of patients worldwide and remains significantly underserved by existing therapeutic options, with current management largely limited to compression garments, manual lymphatic drainage, and in some cases reconstructive surgery.
“Our mission at Sub-Q Bionics is to meaningfully improve the standard of care for patients living with lymphedema,” said CEO Jordan Pollack. “This funding enables us to accelerate development of our technology and move toward critical pre-clinical milestones while building the regulatory and commercial foundation needed to ultimately serve patients.”
