Anaconda Biomed

Anaconda Biomed S.L.
Founded in 2015 in Barcelona by neurology and biomedical engineering experts Dr. Marc Ribó and Dr. Ofir Arad, Anaconda Biomed S.L. is a Spanish medical device company focused on revolutionizing stroke treatment. Their flagship technology, the ANA Funnel Catheter, is a next-generation mechanical thrombectomy (MT) system designed to enhance outcomes in ischemic stroke treatment through precision engineering and cutting-edge technology.

The Stroke Challenge
Stroke is a leading cause of disability and the second leading cause of death worldwide. Its prevalence is 2 per 1000 inhabitants and is expected to rise with population ageing and improved diagnostics. About 85% of strokes are ischemic, requiring urgent intervention to restore blood flow. Current treatments, including thrombolysis and MT, face challenges such as limited treatment windows, inconsistent clot removal, and significant complications, resulting in high disability rates, recurrent hospitalizations (10-15% readmission within 30 days, and 20-35% within 1 year), and an annual cost exceeding €90 billion in the Western world. This underscores the need for more effective, safer, and universally applicable solutions.

The ANA Funnel Catheter Advantage
A major challenge in MT is that clots are always as large as the artery, whereas catheters must be smaller to navigate the vessel. Inspired by the anaconda snake, the ANA Funnel Catheter is designed to envelop clots effectively, similar to the snake's ability to consume larger prey. The device features a self-expanding funnel made of radiopaque nitinol braid coated with silicone, which adjusts to the artery's size while locally restricting blood flow, optimizing clot retrieval and minimizing fragmentation and distal embolization.

Performance and Innovation
The ANA Funnel Catheter offers enhanced navigability and a superior safety profile, achieving a 61% first-pass effect (FPE), significantly better than the current standard (less than 45%). Clinical trials, like the ANAIS study, showed high success rates, including a 90% reperfusion rate (mTICI 2b/3) within three passes, with zero serious device-related adverse events. Additionally, ANA reduces risks of symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage, with no such cases reported at 24 hours post-procedure.

Strategic Vision and Clinical Pathway
Anaconda Biomed aims to transform stroke care through research, expert collaboration, and adherence to high safety standards. Positioned at the forefront of stroke care, the company launched the ATHENA trial, a 327-patient, international randomized controlled trial for FDA approval via the de novo pathway. Anaconda Biomed has raised over €35 million, secured a €10 million loan from the European Investment Bank, and is targeting a €25 million Series C to complete clinical validations, expand its product portfolio, and commercialize globally.

Commitment to Innovation
Anaconda Biomed’s commitment to innovation is reflected in its strategic partnerships and robust intellectual property (IP) portfolio, consisting of 15 patent families covering core technologies, including a unique braided funnel design. Their IP extends across key global markets, including the U.S., Europe, China, and Japan, ensuring coverage until at least 2042. The company's ambition is to continue advancing stroke treatment, ensuring that technologies like the ANA Funnel Catheter significantly improve patient outcomes and set new standards for stroke care worldwide.

Keywords: Medical Devices, Neurovascular, Cardiovascular, MedTech, Biotech, DeepTech, Acute Ischemic Stroke.