AngioScore is a technology company.
AngioScore has raised $75.0M across 3 funding rounds.
AngioScore has raised $75.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
AngioScore was a medical technology company that designed, developed, manufactured, and marketed scoring balloon catheters for treating cardiovascular and peripheral artery diseases.[1][2][3] Its flagship products, such as the AngioSculpt RX (rapid exchange coronary scoring device), AngioSculpt PTCA (over-the-wire coronary catheter), and AngioSculpt PTA (peripheral vascular catheter), addressed limitations of conventional angioplasty balloons by incorporating nitinol scoring elements for improved lesion dilatation in arteries like iliac, femoral, popliteal, infra-popliteal, renal, and arteriovenous dialysis fistulae.[1][4] The company served interventional cardiologists, vascular surgeons, and cath labs in the U.S. via direct sales and over 60 countries through distributors, solving challenges in effective plaque modification during angioplasty to reduce restenosis risks and enhance procedural outcomes.[1][5] Founded in 2003, it raised $87M before being acquired, reflecting strong early growth in the medtech space.[1]
AngioScore emerged in 2003 from innovations in angioplasty technology, co-founded by Dr. Kazem Kazerouni, who served as president, chief scientist, and primary inventor of the AngioSculpt catheter and its Easy Exchange delivery system until 2006.[4] Kazerouni's prior experience as CEO/COO of Advanced Stent Technologies (acquired by Boston Scientific in 2004) and CTO at Bypass Ltd informed the idea: creating a balloon catheter with embedded nitinol elements to score resistant plaques more predictably than standard PTCA balloons.[1][4] Early traction built through product development for coronary and peripheral markets, attracting leadership like Tom (president/CEO from 2005 with 30+ years in medtech) and Dick (SVP global sales/marketing).[4] Pivotal moments included FDA clearances and global distribution expansion, culminating in $87M funding before acquisition.[1]
AngioScore stood out in the crowded medtech landscape through targeted innovations in balloon angioplasty:
AngioScore rode the rise of minimally invasive endovascular therapies in the early 2000s, capitalizing on surging demand for peripheral artery disease (PAD) and coronary interventions amid aging populations and diabetes epidemics driving atherosclerosis.[1] Timing aligned with post-DES (drug-eluting stent) era challenges, where scoring balloons filled gaps in pre/post-dilatation for complex lesions, influencing standards in cath labs by promoting safer angioplasty adjuncts over atherectomy or specialty devices.[1][2] Market forces like reimbursement growth for PAD procedures and nitinol material advances favored its model, positioning it against competitors like NeoChord or Arbor Surgical by focusing on accessible, single-use tools for high-volume settings.[1] Its acquisition underscored validation in consolidating medtech, paving the way for integrated platforms in vascular care ecosystems.
Post-acquisition, AngioScore's technologies likely integrated into larger players' portfolios, amplifying AngioSculpt's legacy in next-gen angioplasty amid trends like AI-guided imaging, bioresorbable scaffolds, and combo drug-coated scoring balloons.[1] Evolving PAD markets (projected multi-billion growth) and coronary CTO expansions will shape descendants, with focus on outpatient procedures and combo-device therapies boosting efficiency. Its influence endures by humanizing endovascular innovation—rooted in Dr. Kazerouni's vision—setting benchmarks for lesion prep that startups still chase, ensuring safer outcomes in a balloon-dominated field.[1][4]
AngioScore has raised $75.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
AngioScore's investors include Aphelion Capital.
AngioScore has raised $75.0M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $30.0M Series E in October 2007.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2007 | $30.0M Series E | Aphelion Capital | |
| Apr 1, 2006 | $30.0M Series D | Aphelion Capital | |
| Aug 1, 2004 | $15.0M Series B | Aphelion Capital |