Current traction

CATALYZE PROGRAM (10/24 - PRESENT) ∙ Cardiost, Inc. is actively collaborating with the Texas Heart Institute, the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and Phoenix DeVentures on a grant submission to support the development of a high-precision magnetic levitation (MagLev) motor for the LAUD centrifugal pump system.

The CATALYZE Program’s flexibility and deep network of regulatory, engineering, toxicology, marketing, and commercialization experts make it a critical strategic pathway for Cardiost’s non-dilutive funding efforts. Through this collaboration, we aim to advance the LAUD platform from early engineering validation into preclinical readiness, addressing key technical milestones in device design, biocompatibility, and manufacturability.

The support provided by the CATALYZE framework positions Cardiost to systematically de-risk product development while maintaining a clear regulatory and commercialization trajectory, aligning with NIH’s mission of accelerating innovative therapies to clinical use

THROMBUST ALPHA PROTOTYPE READY FOR FIRST IN-ANIMAL (02/25 - PRESENT) ∙ Cardiost, Inc., in collaboration with Phoenix DeVentures, has successfully developed the first alpha prototype of the Thrombust system—a fully implantable device engineered to reduce pain-to-needle time in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients.

The team is actively securing a GLP-compliant site in Latin America to initiate first in-animal studies. Rather than relying solely on dilutive fundraising, Cardiost is prioritizing non-dilutive grant funding to systematically de-risk the Thrombust technology through rigorous preclinical validation. This disciplined approach not only preserves shareholder value but strengthens the platform’s clinical and regulatory positioning ahead of larger capital raises.

Achieving this technical milestone marks a critical step in translating the Thrombust system from conceptual design to in vivo proof-of-concept.

CENTER FOR DEVICE INNOVATION (CDI) AT THE TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER (TMC) (8/24 - PRESENT) ∙ Cardiost, Inc. has secured additional R&D space and is now a resident company at the Center for Device Innovation (CDI) at the Texas Medical Center, one of the nation’s premier hubs for early-stage medical device development.

Led by Dr. William Cohn, MD, CDI provides a unique platform combining advanced prototyping capabilities, direct clinical collaboration, and targeted commercialization support. Residency at CDI strengthens Cardiost’s ability to rapidly iterate and validate critical components of the LAUD, while accessing a network of leading engineers, clinicians, and regulatory experts.

This move is a strategic step toward accelerating product development, de-risking technical milestones, and positioning Cardiost for successful entry into preclinical testing and subsequent regulatory pathways.

CENTRIFUGAL PUMP DESIGN AND PARAMETRIC OPTIMIZATION COMPLETED (2/23 - 3/25) ∙ Cardiost, Inc. has successfully completed the detailed design and parametric optimization of the volute and impeller components for the LAUD centrifugal pump system. This phase included iterative CFD simulations, structural analysis, and performance mapping to ensure optimal hydraulic efficiency, minimal shear stress, and hemocompatibility.

In parallel, Cardiost filed a provisional patent application in collaboration with the University of Denver to protect key design innovations. As part of its commitment to scientific rigor and peer engagement, the Cardiost team presented its design methodology and preliminary results at the International Society of Mechanical Circulatory Support (ISMCS) annual conference held in Utsunomiya, Japan, in November 2024. Click here for more information

LEGAL COUNSEL WITH WILSON SONSINI (6/24 - PRESENT) ∙ Cardiost, Inc. has engaged Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati (WSGR) as its lead legal counsel, supporting the company across corporate, venture financing, regulatory, and intellectual property matters.

WSGR is recognized as one of the premier law firms for high-growth technology and life sciences companies, with an extensive track record guiding early-stage and emerging medical device innovators from inception through successful financings, regulatory milestones, and exits. The firm has played a central role in advising some of the most successful life sciences companies and venture-backed startups in the U.S. and globally.

Partnering with WSGR strengthens Cardiost’s corporate infrastructure and IP strategy, positioning the company to efficiently navigate future fundraising rounds, partnership opportunities, and eventual commercialization pathways.

JLABS (8/23 - PRESENT) ∙ Cardiost, Inc. is proud to be a resident company at Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JLABS, a premier global incubator network supporting high-potential life sciences and medtech startups. Through this residency, Cardiost gains access to world-class laboratory facilities, strategic mentorship, and deep industry connections essential to scaling disruptive healthcare technologies.

Importantly, JLABS operates under the broader Johnson & Johnson Innovation umbrella, which has demonstrated a strong strategic focus on mechanical circulatory support (MCS) through its $16 billion acquisition of Abiomed in 2022. Cardiost’s development of the LAUD aligns with J&J’s growing investment in advanced heart failure therapies, positioning Cardiost as a complementary innovator within this expanding therapeutic area. More information: http://jlabs.jnjinnovation.com/

NIA STARTUP CHALLENGE 2023 WINNER (8/23 - 12/23) ∙ Cardiost, Inc. was selected as a winner of the 2023 National Institute on Aging (NIA) Start-Up Challenge, affirming the scientific strength and commercial potential of our LAUD platform.

The NIA Start-Up Challenge is a highly competitive national initiative focused on advancing innovative, science-driven technologies that address critical health challenges associated with aging. Cardiost’s selection highlights the strong alignment between our solution and the NIA’s strategic research priorities in cardiovascular health, chronic disease management, and healthy aging.

This recognition not only validates Cardiost’s technical approach and market opportunity but also strategically positions us for future non-dilutive funding and collaboration within the broader NIH ecosystem.

COLLABORATION WITH UNIVERSIDAD DE LOS ANDES, COLOMBIA (8/23 - 12/23) ∙ An additional set of simulations with Biomedical Engineering department at Universidad de los Andes (Colombia) was completed in December 2023 under the direction of Juan M. Cordovez, PhD and David Bigio. Dr. Cordovez is the director of the Bio-mathematical research laboratory (BIOMAC) at Universidad de los Andes, and Associate professor of the Department of Biomedical Engineering. Mr. Bigio has been linked to the department of Biomedical Engineering since 2016 and has been responsible for the design project courses (e.g., Capstone Design Project), which promotes knowledge in Innovation and Entrepreneurship to propose solutions to needs in health related areas in Colombia.

CU BOULDER COLLABORATION (8/23 - PRESENT) ∙ In line with its commitment to capital-efficient innovation, Cardiost, Inc. is sponsoring two senior engineering projects through the University of Colorado Boulder’s Biomedical Engineering Capstone Program to accelerate key components of its implantable cardiac device platform.

The first project focuses on the development of a transcutaneous energy transfer (TET) system—an essential technology to eliminate the need for percutaneous drivelines, which are a major source of infection and patient morbidity in current devices. The second project initiates the design of Cardiost’s fully magnetically levitated (FML) motor, a breakthrough intended to eliminate mechanical wear points and optimize long-term device performance and biocompatibility.

By strategically leveraging high-caliber academic partnerships, Cardiost continues to drive critical engineering milestones forward while maintaining a disciplined, capital-efficient approach to execution. This positions the company to de-risk core technologies ahead of major funding inflection points.

IN-VITRO EXPERIMENTS WITH DU (9/22 - 11/22) ∙ Cardiost, Inc. successfully conducted a series of in-vitro experiments at the University of Denver Cardiovascular Biomechanics Lab (DUCBL) to validate fluid dynamics models developed for the LAUD. These tests confirmed the initial simulation data and provided critical performance benchmarks to inform ongoing system optimization.

As part of this effort, Cardiost designed and built a modular in-vitro testing platform specifically for evaluating LAUD prototypes under controlled hemodynamic conditions. This platform will now support testing of the next-generation prototypes funded by the Proof-of-Concept Grant awarded by the Global Business Development division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT).

This milestone strengthens Cardiost’s technical foundation, accelerates prototype iteration, and ensures a more efficient pathway toward preclinical validation.

CFD SIMULATIONS WITH DU (6/22 - 8/22) ∙ Cardiost, Inc. completed its third phase of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations in collaboration with the University of Denver’s Cardiovascular Biomechanics Lab, under the direction of Dr. Ali N. Azadani, PhD. These advanced simulations validated key aspects of the LAUD centrifugal pump design, optimizing parameters critical for flow dynamics, pressure generation, and blood compatibility.

Through Master Research Agreements with our academic partners, Cardiost maintains full ownership of all resulting intellectual property, ensuring strategic control over core innovations. This approach not only strengthens our R&D foundation but also provides investors and clinical stakeholders with rigorous, independent technical validation of our platform.

[Learn more about our CFD Simulation results here.]

COMMERCIALIZATION PARTNERSHIP WITH INNOSPHERE VENTURES ∙ Cardiost, Inc. has been working closely with Innosphere Ventures since September 2021. Innosphere is a leading life sciences incubator and commercialization program based in Colorado, providing critical support to early-stage, high-growth companies in biosciences, digital health, cleantech, and advanced technology sectors.

Through this partnership, Cardiost has gained access to a deep network of sector-specific advisors, capital resources, and commercialization expertise essential for scaling innovative health technologies. Beyond strategic mentorship, Innosphere Ventures also maintains an active investment fund focused on accelerating promising companies within its portfolio, further aligning incentives for future capital support as Cardiost progresses through key development milestones.

This collaboration reinforces Cardiost’s position within Colorado’s growing life sciences ecosystem and strengthens the company’s readiness for clinical translation and market entry.