HEPTA Medical Nabs €5.7 Million in Series A Financing

HEPTA Medical is €5.7 million richer, having closed a Series A funding round led by BPI France.

The money raised from investors—wich also included M&L Healthcare and Clery IG—will enable HEPTA to initiate the U.S. regulatory approval process for the first version of its microwave ablation platform and start clinical trials. With lung cancer at the top of all cancer-related deaths worldwide, screening programs increasingly are becoming crucial in managing early-stage disease. The company aims to address this need by offering a controlled, incision-less technology, that provides a minimally invasive approach to treat patients quickly, safely, and efficiently.
 
“We are grateful for our new investors, and excited to bring microwave ablation therapy to new heights. In August, we obtained our first proprietary patent, completing our three patent families under license. We have multiple upcoming milestones, including the release of early preclinical trial results conducted in collaboration with world-renowned centers, which we’ll publish at the CIRSE conference in September,” HEPTA Medical CEO Dr. Thomas Bancel said.
 
HEPTA Board Chairm Gérard Hascoët, a Sofinnova Venture Partner, will be joined by Philippe Boucheron and Jocelyn Kum as representatives for BPI France and M&L Healthcare, respectively.
 
“We are thrilled to be part of HEPTA Medical’s journey as they push the boundaries of innovation in minimally invasive lung cancer treatment. This investment aligns with our commitment to support groundbreaking medical technologies that have the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes. HEPTA’s approach to thermal ablation therapy, combined with their team and technology, positions them at the forefront of transforming lung cancer care. We are confident that HEPTA Medical will achieve significant milestones in the near future and are excited to support their continued growth and success,” commented Boucheron, deputy chief of Life Sciences Investments at BPI France.
 
HEPTA Medical was founded in 2019 by Sofinnova medtech acceleration team, MD Start. HEPTA develops a flexible microwave ablation probe compatible with any lung navigation system. It is equipped with a proprietary patented tissue temperature sensor that enables clinicians to monitor growth of the ablation zone in-situ and in real-time during endobronchial ablation procedures. The device also incorporates predictive software, powered by artificial intelligence, which combines procedural computed tomography images, and temperature measurements to display the ablation zone in real-time to the clinician during the procedure. Its incision-less technology can deliver thermal energy through the airway. HEPTA Medical’s microwave ablation probe is equipped with a proprietary patented temperature sensor enabling to monitor and control the growth of the ablation zone during the procedure. 
 
Bpifrance Investissement is the management company that handles Bpifrance’s equity investments. Bpifrance is the French national investment bank: it finances businesses at every stage of their development through loans, guarantees, equity investments, and export insurances. Bpifrance also provides extra financial services (training, consultancy) to help entrepreneurs meet their challenges from innovation to export.

M&L Healthcare is a Singapore based family office focused on long-term investments in the healthcare sector. With a strategic emphasis on life sciences, medical technologies, and healthcare services, the firm partners with companies across all stages to drive innovation, growth, and improved patient outcomes globally.

Clery IG is a French family office specializing in strategic investments across diverse sectors, with a focus on healthcare, technology, and real estate. Leveraging deep industry expertise and a global network, Clery IG partners with companies to drive sustainable growth, innovation, and long-term value creation.
 
Sofinnova Partners is a European venture capital firm in life sciences, specializing in healthcare and sustainability. Based in Paris, London, and Milan, the firm employs a team of professionals with strong scientific, medical, and business expertise. Sofinnova Partners is a hands-on company builder across the entire value chain of life sciences investments, from seed to later-stage. Founded in 1972, Sofinnova Partners is a deeply-established venture capital firm in Europe, with 50 years of experience backing more than 500 companies. Sofinnova Partners currently has more than €2.8 billion under management.