Cala’s Trio device has been approved by the FDA and can be used to control symptoms in patients with essential tremor. Image source: Cala Health
Ascension Ventures recently led a $77 million funding round from Cala Health, a start-up company that owns wearable devices for essential tremor. The Burlingame, California-based company makes a wrist-based device that uses electrical stimulation to temporarily relieve symptoms of tremor.
Essential tremor is characterized by involuntary hand shaking, affecting approximately 7 million people in the United States. There are currently some treatment options, such as beta-blockers, but they are not always well tolerated.
Cala plans to use the funds to expand to other indications and seek wider equipment coverage.
“We are honored that Ascension Ventures has joined us on our journey to realize the power of bioelectronic medicine,” Cala CEO Renee Ryan said in a press conference. “This investment allows us to build a strong foundation in the treatment of essential tremor and the development of new therapies to help more patients with chronic diseases. Our team is committed to closing the huge gap in patient care.”
Cala was founded in 2014 by engineer and neuroscientist Kate Rosenbluth. Ryan, a former Johnson & Johnson innovative venture capitalist, later joined its CEO.
Startups first received de novo FDA approved in 2018 To help relieve the tremor, it is now seeking to expand to other indications.It received a Awarded the title of breakthrough equipment last year Treatment of motor tremor in adults with Parkinson’s disease.
At the same time, it is also seeking to establish relationships with payers, as it seeks reimbursement options among medical insurance, business plans and “payers.” Cala recently shared a result Post-market analysis It plans to use it to win payers, which shows that the tremor intensity of people who regularly use the device has decreased.
