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Sientra’s “Stand-By” Series C Shows How To Eliminate Late-Stage Risk

Breast-implant start-up Sientra recently raised a $65 million Series C round at a time when venture capital for medtech is scarce, particularly for mid-stage companies pushing toward important milestones. Using a new kind of “stand-by” financing, it was ready to hit the ground running upon the recent FDA approval of its breast implants.

In this era of economic uncertainty, more and more venture capitalists are looking to minimize the risk of investing. This climate of caution is driving early-stage investors to invest in later-stage companies where the travel time to regulatory approval and commercialization is shortened by years. But even investing in late-stage companies with big ticket clinical and regulatory costs comes with risk ( well, in most cases anyway. The investors in Sientra Inc.’s $65 million Series C round managed to all but eliminate the risks associated with investing in a company awaiting approval from the Food and Drug Administration.

Abingworth Management Inc. led the financing, and all of the company’s inside investors returned, including Clarus Ventures and OrbiMed Advisors. As of the recent round, Sientra has raised a total...

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Final Chance To Have Your Say: Take Our Reader Survey This Week

 
• By Ryan Nelson

Editor’s note: This is your final call to participate in the survey to better understand our subscribers’ content and delivery needs. The deadline is 20 September.

Shape Our Content: Take The Reader Survey

 
• By Ryan Nelson

Editor’s note: We are conducting a survey to better understand our subscribers’ content and delivery needs. If there are any changes you’d like to see in coverage topics, content format or the method in which you receive and access Medtech Insight, or if you love it how it is, now is the time to have your voice heard.

Patients With Movement Disorders Will Benefit From Medtronic’s Expanded MRI Labeling For DBS

 
• By Marion Webb

Medtronic announced it received expanded MRI labeling for its DBS systems, which is critical, given that almost 70% of all DBS-eligible patients will likely need an MRI at some point in their care, says Ashwini Sharan, CMO for Medtronic Neuromodulation.

Podcast: Lung Life AI CEO Shares Regulatory And Reimbursement Journey For Lung Cancer Diagnostic

 
• By Natasha Barrow

In this episode, Medtech Insight reporter Natasha Barrow speaks to LungLife AI CEO Paul Pagano. Lung Life AI is a US-based AIM-listed medical technology company that has developed a liquid biopsy test for the early detection of lung cancer called Lung LB. Pagano runs through the highlights of Lung Life AI journey to date and its future ambition for a strategic partnership. He also provides advice to similar diagnostic companies seeking reimbursement andcompliance with the US FDA Lab Developed Test ruling.

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TRiCares Tricuspid Valve Replacement System Reduces Regurgitation In First-In-Human Study

 
• By Natasha Barrow

TRiCares presented data from the first-in-human study for its tricuspid valve replacement system – Topaz – at EuroPCR 2025 on 22 May.

Swiss Medtechs Advised To Work On US Tariff Mitigation Strategies

 
• By Ashley Yeo

The US’ 90-day suspension of higher “reciprocal tariffs” will expire on 9 July, raising fears that the 31% tariff rate on Swiss medtech and other goods exported to the US might make a comeback. While the tariff situation changes on an almost daily basis, medtechs should forearm for any eventually, say local business organizations.

Guardant Health Launches Germline Hereditary Cancer Test

 
• By Natasha Barrow

Guardant Health introduces a new germline panel test to help guide cancer treatment, assess the risk of secondary cancers in patients and identify family members at risk of cancer.