Nobel Laureate-Backed Team Submits IPO Prospectus for Magnetorheological Blood Pressure Therapy Device
Cardiovascular diseases affect a large number of patients and pose significant health risks.According to the "Report on Cardiovascular Diseases in China"2018》, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in China is on a continuous rise, with the current number of patients at2.9100 million，Among them, hypertensionPatient approximately2.45100 million. And2016Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death, with a mortality rate higher than that of cancer and other diseases; the rural cardiovascular disease mortality rate is309.33/10per 10,000, accounting for approximately of all causes of death45.50%; the urban cardiovascular disease mortality rate was265.11/1010,000, accounting for approximately of all causes of death43.16%。
Faced with cardiovascular challenges, innovative domestic companies are showcasing their strengths: some are developing minimally invasive surgical devices, others are focusing on screening and monitoring, while still others are concentrating on postoperative rehabilitation. Recently, VCBeat interviewed Dr. Du Enpeng, whose team is preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases through a novel non-invasive physical therapy. This innovative approach can help lower blood pressure, increase blood oxygen levels, and assist individuals in suboptimal health states to reduce stress.
Dr. Du Enpeng stated, “Magnetorheological blood pressure reduction is an innovative non-invasive physical therapy that lowers blood pressure, prevents and treats cardiovascular diseases and stroke, and increases blood oxygen levels without the need for oral or injectable medications. We plan to collaborate with advanced domestic manufacturing industries to establish a global industrialization base in China, thereby benefiting more patients with cardiovascular diseases.”
It is reported that the magnetorheological blood pressure reduction project has been under development since 2010. During the early laboratory research and development phase, it secured over $1 million in funding from the American Heart Association and Temple University, a renowned institution. Currently, the project has completed FDA safety and efficacy validation and has entered the FDA De Novo submission stage.
In China, Dr. Du Enpeng is evaluating suitable research centers and production facilities for magnetorheological blood pressure-lowering products, which are also planned to undergo clinical trials and are expected to be launched on the market within three years.
As population aging intensifies, the number of patients with cardiovascular diseases continues to rise. Meanwhile, there is a growing demand among patients for blood pressure reduction and inhibition of sterol deposition on the vascular intima. Although medical technologies have advanced, with monitoring and minimally invasive techniques being increasingly adopted, surgical intervention is often unnecessary for patients in the early stages of the disease, while pharmacological treatment may lead to adverse drug reactions.
Magnetorheological Blood Pressure Reduction Technology is the world’s first physical therapeutic device for lowering blood pressure. It reduces patients’ blood pressure, increases blood oxygen levels, prevents cardiovascular blockage, and helps alleviate stress through non-invasive, drug-free physical therapy. Patients need only use the magnetorheological blood pressure reduction device for 10 to 15 minutes daily to bring their blood pressure within the normal range. With consistent long-term use, it can help prevent heart attacks and strokes, thereby safeguarding patients’ lives.
The basic principle of the magnetorheological blood pressure reduction device is as follows: The human body is an organic system. When blood fluidity decreases, vascular wall pressure rises, leading to insufficient blood and oxygen supply; consequently, the heart accelerates its beating to enhance perfusion and oxygenation. Conversely, when blood fluidity increases, vascular wall pressure naturally declines, stabilizing blood and oxygen supply, which results in a slower heart rate.
Therefore, Dr. Du Enpeng’s team focused on blood fluidity, utilizing a magnetorheological blood pressure-lowering device to ensure that ions in the blood flow along the center of the blood vessels, thereby facilitating smooth blood circulation. This improved hemodynamic flow reduces pressure on the vascular walls; as blood and oxygen supply stabilize, heart rate tends to moderate, ultimately leading to a reduction in blood pressure.
Dr. Du Enpeng stated, “Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, and the current market size for hypertension treatment alone exceeds $66 billion. At present, only a small proportion of hypertensive patients are aware of their condition and proactively seek therapeutic intervention. However, with continuous advancements in medical care and growing public health awareness, the hypertension treatment market is poised for significant expansion. Physical devices for blood pressure reduction can avoid the side effects associated with antihypertensive medications as well as the sequelae of surgical procedures. Therefore, this globally unique magnetorheological blood pressure-lowering device holds extremely broad market prospects.”
Furthermore, this magnetorheological blood pressure-lowering device can increase blood oxygen concentration, playing an irreplaceable role in competitive sports; in the field of elderly healthcare, it can improve the quality of life for patients suffering from cerebral hypoxia. For the prevention of cardiovascular obstruction, the magnetorheological blood pressure-lowering device is currently the only physical therapy available.
Dr. Du Enpeng stated, “The magnetorheological blood pressure reduction project was awarded the ‘Excellence Award’ at the 13th Chunhui Cup Competition in 2018 and received the First Prize in the New York Consulate District. In 2019, the project participated in the China Overseas Innovation and Entrepreneurship Project Competition, where it won an award, and took part in the 20th China Overseas Scholars Entrepreneurship Week, achieving the highest score in the biomedical category. The project has gained recognition from investors, medical experts, physicians, and patients alike. Therefore, we are more confident in the commercialization of our product and remain optimistic about its future sales performance.”
It is reported that the magnetorheological blood pressure reduction project has completed its seed funding round in the United States and assembled a strong team comprising Nobel laureates and prominent domestic investors. After introducing the project to China, Dr. Du Enpeng’s team is poised to complete its Series A financing. Notably, Dr. Du Enpeng’s team holds exclusive licensing rights to the patents related to the magnetorheological blood pressure reduction technology.
In the medical field, talent is the core competitive advantage. Talent-intensive enterprises, in particular, have higher demands and requirements for talent than other types of companies. The smooth advancement of the magnetorheological blood pressure reduction project is inseparable from its outstanding team members, including patent inventors, top-tier scientists, experienced clinicians, and national-level high-end talents with extensive expertise in business operations and project management.
Dr. Enpeng Du, the company’s founder and a former student of Professor Rongjia Tao, has long been dedicated to research in soft condensed matter. He successfully applied electrorheological fluids to oil pipeline transportation, reducing oil viscosity and enhancing pipeline transport efficiency. He also introduced electrorheological technology into the food industry, successfully using strong electric fields to reduce the fat content in chocolate, thereby producing healthier chocolate products. Dr. Du’s technological achievements have been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) and have gained recognition from both experts and the industry.
Partner Professor Rongjia Tao is the inventor of multiple utility patents. During his doctoral studies, he studied under Nobel Laureate Tsung-Dao Lee, and he also completed his postdoctoral training under another Nobel Laureate. Currently, Professor Tao serves as a Professor at the Cardiovascular Research Center of Temple University School of Medicine, where he is primarily responsible for overseeing clinical trials and accelerating the market launch of products. Partner Dr. David Lee, a 1996 Nobel Laureate, is primarily responsible for addressing major scientific challenges in the company’s development, formulating forward-looking strategic directions, and ensuring the company’s technological leadership.
Among the medical team, Michael Autieri is an expert in the cardiovascular field, with in-depth research on inhibiting vascular occlusive diseases and peripheral vascular diseases. Dr. Mobo serves as the Medical Director at Temple University Hospital, having engaged in clinical medicine for over 30 years, boasting extensive experience in clinical practice and healthcare management. Professor Luo Suxin, Director of the Department of Cardiology at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, has previously led multiple projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China as well as provincial and ministerial-level grants. He is currently overseeing NMPA-regulated clinical trials at the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University.
Business Director Dr. Todd Abrams is the Senior Director of the Center for New Enterprise and Business Development at Temple University in the United States, primarily responsible for assisting the company in expanding its business in the U.S.
Under the guidance of a distinguished team, the magnetorheological blood pressure reduction project is progressing smoothly. Leveraging China’s supply chain and manufacturing advantages, Dr. Du Enpeng’s team plans to establish a production base in China and is currently selecting an appropriate site. For product promotion, Dr. Du Enpeng intends to engage in deep collaboration with industry resources to jointly market and sell the product.