Santa Cruz's Capstan Medical Achieves Titan Status With Pioneering Robotic Heart Valve Procedure
From its base in the vibrant tech hub of Santa Cruz, California, Capstan Medical is rapidly establishing itself as a titan in the field of minimally invasive cardiac intervention. The company today announced a landmark achievement: the successful completion of the first-in-human robotic-assisted transcatheter mitral valve replacements. This groundbreaking procedure, performed in Santiago, Chile, marks a pivotal moment in the fight against heart valve disease, a leading cause of death worldwide.
Capstan Medical, a promising startup born from the innovative spirit of Santa Cruz, has achieved what was previously thought impossible: the successful delivery of a novel mitral valve using a minimally invasive robotic structural heart platform. This pioneering procedure was performed at Hospital Clínico Universidad Católica by Dr. Gonzalo Martinez, with support from Dr. Santiago Garcia, and involved two patients who received the innovative Capstan valve.
"We are honored to pioneer this innovation that has the potential to transform how we treat heart valve disease, especially for patients who aren't candidates for conventional surgery," said Dr. Martinez. This sentiment was echoed by Dr. Garcia, who stated, "The robotic platform provided unprecedented catheter stability and control, achieving optimal implant positioning. This is the enabling technology the structural heart field has been waiting for."
Heart disease remains a global health crisis, claiming a life every 33 seconds in the U.S. alone. Millions suffer from heart valve disease, a complex condition often requiring open-heart surgery, a procedure unsuitable for many patients. Capstan Medical's innovative approach, combining novel heart valve implants, advanced catheter technology, and a sophisticated robotic platform, offers a less invasive and potentially life-saving alternative.
The success of these first-in-human procedures validates Capstan Medical's vision and technological prowess. "These successful first-in-human cases represent a significant leap forward in structural heart intervention," emphasized Dr. Garcia. Both patients experienced the elimination of mitral regurgitation and were discharged home within days, demonstrating the efficacy and patient-friendly nature of the Capstan system.
This achievement comes on the heels of Capstan Medical's successful $110 million Series C funding round in December 2024, further solidifying its position as a leader in the medical technology space. With this funding, the Santa Cruz-based company will continue its clinical and development work, paving the way for upcoming pivotal trials.
"Today marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of structural heart therapy," said Maggie Nixon, Chief Executive Officer of Capstan Medical. "Seeing the capabilities of our system, catheter, and implant come together to deliver groundbreaking human cases validates years of research, development, and unwavering commitment from our team. This achievement demonstrates the potential of our technology to reshape the future of structural heart procedures."
Capstan Medical's success story is a testament to the power of innovation, and its impact will be felt far beyond the shores of Santa Cruz. As they continue to push the boundaries of medical technology, Capstan Medical is not only saving lives but also cementing its status as a true titan in the field of cardiac care.