Loading organizations...
Key people at Acessa.
Acessa was founded in 2004 by Kim Rodriguez (President, CEO & Co-Founder).
Acessa is an Austin, Texas-based medical device company that develops and commercializes laparoscopic radiofrequency ablation systems for the minimally invasive treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids. The organization generates revenue through the business-to-business sale of its FDA-cleared Acessa ProVu consoles and single-use disposable handpieces to hospitals, surgical centers, and gynecological practices. To date, the proprietary procedure has been utilized to treat over 3,000 women and target more than 4,000 individual fibroid tumors. In August 2020, the publicly traded global medical technology corporation Hologic acquired the business for approximately $80 million in upfront cash alongside additional contingent payments. Prior to this strategic acquisition, the enterprise operated under the leadership of former chief executive officer Kim Rodriguez and was previously known as Halt Medical. The company was originally founded in 2004 by Dr. Bruce Lee and Jeffrey Cohen.
Key people at Acessa.
Acessa was founded in 2004 by Kim Rodriguez (President, CEO & Co-Founder).
Acessa Health Inc. is a women's health medtech company that developed the Acessa System, a minimally invasive radiofrequency ablation device for treating symptomatic uterine fibroids while preserving the uterus.[1][2][4] It serves gynecologists and women suffering from fibroids—a condition affecting millions worldwide—solving the problem of debilitating symptoms like heavy bleeding and pain through a laparoscopic ultrasound-guided procedure that avoids hysterectomy.[1][2] The company raised $30.68M in funding, including a $30M Series A, before being acquired by Hologic in 2020 for ~$80M cash plus contingents, accelerating commercial adoption in a market projected to reach $5.26B by 2027.[2][4][5]
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Acessa employed ~35 people pre-acquisition and focused on expanding clinical data, next-gen tech, and global access to uterine-sparing solutions in a segment lacking innovation.[1][2]
Acessa Health emerged from the invention of its core technology by Dr. Bruce Lee, a board-certified gynecologist who pioneered radiofrequency ablation under laparoscopic ultrasound guidance for fibroids.[1][2] The company acquired the Acessa System assets from Halt Medical Inc. via a purchase agreement, marking its formal launch with a $30M Series A from investors like S3 Ventures, Sands Capital Ventures, and Murray Enterprises.[1][3][4]
Kim Rodriguez (also referenced as Kim Bridges) served as CEO and co-founder, driving the transition to a dedicated entity focused on women's health innovation.[1][3] Dr. Lee joined as senior medical advisor post-acquisition, highlighting early clinical momentum that positioned Acessa for broader impact.[1]
Acessa rides the wave of minimally invasive gynecology, addressing uterine fibroids—affecting up to 80% of women by age 50—with less disruptive alternatives to hysterectomies amid rising demand for fertility-preserving options.[1][2][4] Timing aligned with a booming $5.26B fibroid treatment market (9.4% CAGR to 2027), fueled by aging populations, awareness, and medtech shifts toward outpatient procedures.[4]
Its Hologic integration influences the ecosystem by strengthening GYN portfolios, accelerating physician adoption via established networks, and setting standards for ultrasound-guided ablation in women's health.[2][6]
Post-2020 acquisition, Acessa thrives within Hologic, likely expanding globally with enhanced R&D and sales, capitalizing on fibroid market growth and trends like personalized, outpatient medtech.[2][4] Evolving demographics and tech like AI-guided imaging could amplify its influence, potentially dominating uterine-sparing treatments.
This positions Acessa as a pivotal innovator, transforming fibroid care from its Austin roots into a global standard.[1][2]
