Flow Medical, a pulmonary embolism treatment startup, recently secured $2M in a friends-and-family investment round. Based in Chicago, the company is spearheaded by CEO Jennifer Fried, former Head of Explorer Surgical, and Co-founders Dr. Jonathan Paul and Dr. Osman Ahmed, specialists in venous thromboembolism at The University of Chicago Medical Center.
The connection between acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and maternal health is significant, as PE is a leading cause of maternal mortality in many countries. Pregnancy and the postpartum period increase the likelihood of thromboembolic events. Physiological changes during pregnancy, such as heightened blood clotting and reduced leg blood flow, coupled with symptoms that can mimic normal pregnancy discomforts, make diagnosis challenging. Treatment during pregnancy focuses on safe anticoagulants like low molecular weight heparin, avoiding those harmful to the fetus. Prevention and careful monitoring are crucial, especially for women with high-risk factors or a history of VTE. Postpartum, this risk remains elevated, necessitating continued vigilance for the health and safety of both mother and child.
Flow Medical’s current focus is the development of an advanced thrombolysis catheter, aimed at advancing acute pulmonary embolism treatment. This funding boost will primarily support ongoing research and development, as well as regulatory compliance efforts.
Prior to this round, Flow Medical had received Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding from the National Institutes of Health and a $1M investment from a major medical device manufacturer.
