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§ Private Profile · Campbell, CA, USA
Medical device company developing a multipoint RF balloon catheter system for atrial fibrillation treatment, focused on electrophysiology.
Based in Campbell, California, Apama Medical is a medical device company that developed a proprietary multipoint radiofrequency balloon catheter system for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. The organization engineered its cardiovascular technology to combine the benefits of point-by-point ablation and balloon-based ablation, aiming to improve procedural versatility and efficiency for electrophysiologists. Operating initially out of the Shifamed incubator, the venture-backed startup raised capital from institutional investors including Ascension Ventures, ONSET Ventures, and Broadview Ventures, securing at least $3.2 million in Series A-1 financing. Following successful first-in-human clinical trials in Europe, the enterprise was acquired by Boston Scientific in October 2017 for a total valuation of up to $300 million, consisting of $120 million upfront and $180 million in milestone payments. Apama Medical was originally founded in 2009 by medical device entrepreneur Amr Salahieh.
Apama Medical has raised $14.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Apama Medical has raised $14.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Apama Medical was a medical device company developing a novel radiofrequency (RF) balloon catheter system to treat atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common cardiac arrhythmia affecting an estimated 12.9 million patients globally[1][2]. The Apama RF balloon combined benefits of point-by-point RF ablation and balloon-based approaches, featuring multi-electrode technology, built-in digital cameras with LED lights, and sensing electrodes for real-time visualization, customized energy delivery, and shortened procedure times[1][2][4]. It targeted electrophysiologists performing pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for paroxysmal and persistent AF, addressing inefficiencies in existing therapies to improve patient outcomes and procedural efficiency[1][2][5]. The company raised $13 million in Series C funding and was acquired by Boston Scientific in 2017 for $175 million upfront plus up to $125 million in milestones, advancing Boston Scientific's electrophysiology portfolio[1][2][3][6].
Apama Medical was founded in 2009 by serial entrepreneur Amr Salahieh and formed as a spinout from Shifamed, a Silicon Valley medical device incubator[1][3]. The idea emerged from recognizing unmet needs in the underpenetrated AF ablation market, where traditional methods faced obstacles like procedural inefficiency and limited adoption; this led to development of a multipoint RF balloon catheter system[1][4]. Early traction included SBIR funding and $13 million in Series C financing in 2014, marking it as Shifamed's third acquisition (following Kalila Medical by Abbott and Maya Medical by Covidien)[3][5]. Pivotal moments were positive clinical study results validating the technology's efficiency and the 2017 acquisition by Boston Scientific, which integrated it with their Rhythmia HDx Mapping System[2][6].
Apama Medical stood out in the electrophysiology space through its innovative catheter design:
Apama rode the wave of expanding AF treatment demand, driven by aging populations and rising arrhythmia prevalence, while advancing catheter ablation from fragmented point-by-point methods to efficient single-shot systems[1][2]. Timing was ideal amid rapid growth in the electrophysiology market, where AF ablations were underpenetrated despite strong clinical evidence; market forces like regulatory progress and investor interest in medtech incubators (e.g., Shifamed) fueled its rise[1][3]. Post-acquisition, Apama influenced Boston Scientific's rhythm management portfolio, enabling integrated mapping-ablation workflows that set standards for visualization and outcomes, accelerating adoption of advanced EP tools across the cardiac device ecosystem[2][6].
Apama Medical's technology, now part of Boston Scientific, positions it to capitalize on ongoing EP innovations like AI-enhanced mapping and next-gen energy delivery for complex AF cases. Trends such as personalized ablation, shorter procedures, and global AF burden growth will drive commercialization and milestone achievements. Its legacy evolves through Boston Scientific's portfolio, potentially expanding to integrated platforms that redefine AF therapy standards—echoing its founding mission to boost patient outcomes via superior ablation efficiency[2][6].
Apama Medical has raised $14.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $11.0M Series B in January 2015.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 16, 2015 | $11M Series B | Tara Butler | Incept, Medvance Incubator Partners, ONSET Ventures | Announced |
| Sep 1, 2013 | $3M Series A | — | Broadview Ventures | Announced |
Apama Medical has raised $14.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Apama Medical's investors include Tara Butler, Incept, Medvance Incubator Partners, ONSET Ventures, Broadview Ventures.