MENLO PARK, CA--(Marketwired - January 27, 2014) - TauTona Group, a medical device incubator and investment fund focused on the rapid development of innovative medical products, today announced the sale of its Adipose Tissue Injector (aTI), a single-use, hand-held adipose tissue transfer tool, to LifeCell Corporation (LifeCell). LifeCell, along with Kinetic Concepts, Inc. and Systagenix Woundcare, form one globally diversified wound care, biologics and regenerative medicine company. Fat grafting involves moving a patient’s adipose tissue from one area of the body to another. The procedure is frequently used in both aesthetic and reconstructive surgery.
“We are delighted to announce the sale of our second product, the adipose Tissue Injector, to LifeCell,” said Geoffrey Gurtner M.D., managing partner at TauTona and professor of plastic surgery at Stanford University. “Fat grafting is rapidly growing in popularity, but is often performed with a 100-year old technology, the syringe. Syringes may clog and can be uncomfortable for clinicians during extended use. Physicians are looking to simplify fat grafting, which may lead to reduced costs and improved efficiency. We believe the aTI can help simplify these procedures.”
The aTI is a battery-powered, single-use tool. It was purpose-built to deliver fat at an even, controlled rate without clogging -- with the aim of reducing the tedium and complexity of performing injections using standard syringes -- allowing the surgeon to focus on placement of the fat.
“With this acquisition, we will leverage the LifeCell sales channel in the reconstructive and plastic surgery fields to commercialize this exciting new technology,” said Joe Woody, president & CEO, KCI. “We continue to be focused on innovation and acquisitions of technologies and platforms that both complement and further diversify our combined product portfolio.”
“TauTona’s second exit is further evidence of the success of our hybrid combination of product incubation and targeted investment,” said Dr. Gurtner. “We have demonstrated the ability to take the insights of practicing physicians and develop them into commercial products using a time and capital efficient product development process. This second exit provides an excellent multiple on invested capital and in combination with our other exits will provide a strong return for our first fund.”
About TauTona Group
TauTona Group is a medical device incubator and investor focused on rapid development of innovative surgical products, with special expertise in the reconstructive and aesthetic markets. Co-founded in 2010 by two Stanford School of Medicine surgery professors, TauTona invests in and develops innovative medical devices for commercialization by strategic partners. Recent exits include the sale of the TauTona Tissue Injector to LifeCell and the sale of its Surgical Marker technology to Novadaq® Technologies Inc., (NASDAQ: NVDQ) (TSX: NDQ). TauTona also has several other devices currently under development or in the approval process.
TauTona partners with entrepreneurs, institutions and corporations to fund, develop and build exceptional surgical medical devices using its in-house engineering and business expertise.
About KCI, LifeCell and Systagenix
Kinetic Concepts Inc., LifeCell Corporation and Systagenix Wound Management form one globally diversified wound care, biologics and regenerative medicine company, committed to advancing the science of medicine through transformational healing solutions that reduce complications, speed healing and improve patient lives. Headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, the company is a leader in the medical technology industry with the most comprehensive offering of best-in-class surgical and chronic wound therapies. Additional information about the company and our products can be found at www.KCI1.com or www.LifeCell.com or www.Systagenix.com.
Contact:
Eliot Dobris
(415) 902-1241
Email Contact
Help employers find you! Check out all the jobs and post your resume.
