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Published on January 13, 2025
Midtown-Based AerWave Medical Secures $12 Million for Groundbreaking Ultrasound Lung TherapySource: Google Street View

In a move that can potentially reinvent the therapeutic landscape for chronic lung conditions, Midtown’s AerWave Medical recently closed a deal to the tune of $12 million for the development of its new ultrasound-based therapy. As chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma afflict millions worldwide, AerWave's technology steps in to offer relief by simplifying lung denervation procedures, traditionally rife with complications.

The fresh injection of funds follows the completion of the first human trials, a step that’s been lauded as a success. AerWave claims their therapy could streamline current processes by eliminating the use of X-ray guidance and reducing invasive procedures. This funding round led by Lucius Partners, AerWave Medical's steadfast investor, is a banner event for the startup, which has garnered significant attention since its $4 million seed round in 2021, according to Crain's New York.

The company’s executive chairman Jeffrey O’Donnell, who's a managing partner at Lucius Partners, expressed confidence during this accelerating phase, buoyed by the successful completion of AerWave’s initial human study and corroborating investments. Delving into the technicalities of the therapy, AerWave's technology enables precision in targeting nerve endings which control inflammation in the airways, creating a more efficient and less invasive treatment pathway.

Adding clinical authority to the discourse, Dr. David Tchkonia, an esteemed interventional pulmonologist, told Bakersfield.com, "For the first time, we've demonstrated that our ultrasound-based denervation performed in lobar bronchi can achieve precise nerve ablation efficiently, and reproducibly without the risk of gastroesophageal or cardiac complications." Indeed, the therapy streamlines the procedure with a single-energy application, aiming not only for symptom management but a more profound alteration of the disease course itself.

In the broader spectrum of lung health innovations, AerWave's technology goes beyond COPD and asthma management. Prospects for non-surgical lung volume reduction and conformal lung tumor ablation represent a leap forward in pulmonary medicine, potentially spare patients from more invasive current treatments. The quest for strategic partnerships is the next step for AerWave, as they leverage the latest round of funding and human study results to propel their technology through the pipeline of development and clinical validation.