ALung Technologies is a technology company.
ALung Technologies has raised $26.0M across 2 funding rounds.
ALung Technologies has raised $26.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
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.
ALung Technologies has raised $26.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
ALung Technologies's investors include Allos Ventures.
ALung Technologies has raised $26.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $10.0M Series B in May 2014.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 1, 2014 | $10.0M Series B | Allos Ventures | |
| Sep 1, 2013 | $16.0M Series B | Allos Ventures |