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§ Private Profile · Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Medical device developer of the Hemolung Respiratory Assist System (RAS), an ECCO2R device for acute respiratory failure patients.
Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, ALung Technologies develops and manufactures medical devices for treating acute respiratory failure, focusing on extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal systems. The flagship product of the company, the Hemolung Respiratory Assist System, serves as a dialysis-like alternative to mechanical ventilation for conditions like emphysema and acute respiratory distress syndrome, treating thousands of patients globally. Prior to its acquisition, the firm raised over $100 million in venture capital funding from notable corporate investors including Philips, UPMC Enterprises, and Abiomed. After securing FDA De Novo clearance for its primary lung assist medical device in late 2021, the business was acquired by global medical technology company LivaNova in May 2022. Led by former chief executive officer Peter DeComo, the enterprise was originally founded in 1997 as a University of Pittsburgh spin-out by William Federspiel and Brack Hattler.
ALung Technologies has raised $106.1M across 9 funding rounds.
ALung Technologies has raised $106.1M in total across 9 funding rounds.
ALung Technologies has raised $106.1M across 9 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $36.0M Series C in April 2017.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 11, 2017 | $36M Series C | Adam Seiver, Jeanne Cunicelli | Abiomed, Allos Ventures, Birchmere Ventures, Bluetree Capital, Eagle Ventures, Plsg Accelerator Fund, Raymond James, Riverfront Ventures, West Capital Advisors | Announced |
| Feb 22, 2016 | $12M Venture Round | — | — | Announced |
| May 1, 2014 | $10M Series B | — | Allos Ventures, Gary Glausser | Announced |
| Sep 1, 2013 | $16M Series B | Allos Ventures | Birchmere Ventures, Bluetree Capital, Plsg Accelerator Fund, Smithfield Trust Company, West Capital Partners | Announced |
| Jun 21, 2013 | $9.5M Venture Round | — | — | Announced |
| Oct 11, 2010 | $14M Series A | MEL Pirchesky | Birchmere Ventures | Announced |
| Apr 23, 2010 | $2.8M Venture Round | — | Gerald Mcginnis | Announced |
| Feb 19, 2010 | $3.3M Venture Round | — | — | Announced |
| Oct 6, 2009 | $2.5M Venture Round | — | — | Announced |
ALung Technologies has raised $106.1M in total across 9 funding rounds.
ALung Technologies's investors include Adam Seiver, Jeanne Cunicelli, Abiomed, Allos Ventures, Birchmere Ventures, BlueTree Capital, Eagle Ventures, PLSG Accelerator Fund, Raymond James, Riverfront Ventures, West Capital Advisors, Gary Glausser.
ALung Technologies is a Pittsburgh-based medical device company that developed the Hemolung Respiratory Assist System (RAS), a minimally invasive extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCO2R) device for treating acute and chronic respiratory failure.[1][2][4][5] The Hemolung serves ICU patients with conditions like acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), severe asthma, cystic fibrosis, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and as a bridge to lung transplant, offering a less invasive alternative to mechanical ventilation or complex ECMO systems by removing CO2 via a small central venous catheter at low blood flows (350–550 mL/min).[1][2][4][5] It solves the problem of lung support in respiratory failure by enabling efficient gas exchange without intubation, reducing complexity, cost, and invasiveness for physicians, nurses, and therapists.[1][5] Founded in 1997, the company raised significant funding (e.g., $36M Series C) and grew to about 26 employees before its acquisition by LivaNova PLC in 2018, shortly after FDA approval.[4][5][7]
ALung Technologies spun out from the University of Pittsburgh's McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine in 1997, founded by a team led by William Federspiel, PhD, a professor of bioengineering, chemical engineering, and critical care medicine who directed the Medical Devices Laboratory.[2][4][5] The core idea emerged from Federspiel's research in blood gas exchange technology, aiming to create safer, less invasive respiratory support beyond traditional ventilators or high-flow ECMO.[2][4][5] Early traction came from Innovation Works funding and development of prototypes like the Hattler Catheter, with key hires including Jeremy Kimmel, PhD (VP of New Technology), who expanded R&D after his post-doctoral work in Federspiel's lab.[4] Pivotal moments included European approvals for Hemolung RAS, FDA clearance in 2018 for U.S. marketing, a $36M Series C round, and acquisition by LivaNova PLC later that year.[5][7]
ALung rode the trend of advancing extracorporeal life support amid rising respiratory diseases, lung failure as a top U.S. killer, and demands for alternatives to invasive ventilation—amplified by needs in COVID-19, cystic fibrosis, and transplant bridges.[1][4][5][8] Timing was ideal post-2010s R&D, with FDA approval in 2018 unlocking U.S. markets just before the pandemic, though COVID shifted commercialization paths.[5][8] Market forces like Pittsburgh's medtech ecosystem (universities, incubators like McGowan Institute) fueled innovation, positioning ALung as a leader in low-flow ECCO2R.[4] Its tech influenced respiratory care by democratizing advanced support, reducing ECMO barriers, and integrating into LivaNova's portfolio to broaden global ICU access.[5]
Post-acquisition by LivaNova, ALung's Hemolung integrates into a larger medtech platform, likely accelerating commercialization, next-gen development (e.g., announced breakthroughs), and global expansion amid ongoing respiratory challenges like post-COVID sequelae and climate-driven pollution.[5][6] Trends in minimally invasive critical care, AI-enhanced monitoring, and personalized ECMO alternatives will shape its path, potentially evolving influence through scaled adoption in ICUs worldwide. This Pittsburgh innovator, born from university research, exemplifies how targeted medtech can transform patient outcomes, tying back to its mission of revolutionizing respiratory failure treatment.