Loading organizations...
§ Private Profile · Santa Rosa, CA, USA
Medical device company developing the Sentinel Cerebral Protection System for embolic protection during TAVR procedures.
Based in Santa Rosa, California, Claret Medical is a medical device manufacturer that developed the Sentinel Cerebral Protection System to capture and remove dislodged debris during transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedures. The company pioneered cerebral embolic protection technology, securing the first regulatory clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration for a device specifically designed to prevent neurological damage during complex cardiovascular surgeries. Prior to its exit, the enterprise raised venture capital through multiple equity rounds, including a $14.5 million Series C financing backed by institutional investors such as Lightstone Ventures, Easton Capital, Santé Ventures, and HealthCor Partners. Following its successful commercial release into hospitals and cath labs, the seven-executive operation was ultimately acquired by Boston Scientific in a corporate transaction valued at $270 million. Claret Medical was founded in 2009 by Randy Lashinski.
Claret Medical has raised $40.0M across 4 funding rounds.
Claret Medical has raised $40.0M in total across 4 funding rounds.
Claret Medical was a medtech company that developed the Sentinel Cerebral Embolic Protection System, a dual-filter catheter inserted via the radial artery to capture embolic debris and reduce stroke risk during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures.[1][2][3] It served interventional cardiologists and patients undergoing TAVR or similar structural heart interventions, addressing the critical problem of procedure-induced strokes by deflecting debris away from the brain—proven to capture debris in 99% of cases and reduce strokes by 63% in the SENTINEL trial.[2][3] The company raised $41.42M before being acquired by Boston Scientific in 2018 for $220M upfront plus up to $50M in milestones, marking strong growth with rapid adoption in 60% of TAVR procedures at 100 U.S. centers within a year of FDA clearance.[1][2][6]
Claret Medical, based in Santa Rosa, California, emerged as a privately-held innovator in cerebral protection for structural heart procedures, with leadership from Azin Parhizgar, PhD, who served as president and CEO.[2][3][5] The company advanced from concept to commercialization of the Sentinel System, securing CE Mark in 2014 and FDA clearance in 2017 after the pivotal SENTINEL trial demonstrated its efficacy.[2][3][7] Key milestones included a $14.5M Series C financing in 2017, early hospital adoptions like PinnacleHealth as one of the first 10 U.S. sites post-clearance, and treating nearly 10,000 patients worldwide by acquisition time, culminating in Boston Scientific's purchase in July 2018.[2][3][6][7]
Claret Medical rode the explosive growth of TAVR, a minimally invasive aortic valve replacement trend shifting from high-risk to broader patient populations amid aging demographics and rising structural heart disease.[2][3][5] Timing was ideal post-2017 FDA clearance, aligning with TAVR's U.S. expansion and clinical evidence demands, where stroke risk (from embolic debris) was a key barrier—Claret's Sentinel became a de facto standard in high-volume centers.[2][5][7] It influenced the ecosystem by validating cerebral embolic protection, spurring competitors and enabling safer adoption of TAVR (projected millions of procedures), while Boston Scientific's acquisition integrated it into larger portfolios for structural heart and endovascular innovations.[2][6]
Post-acquisition, Claret Medical's Sentinel technology continues evolving under Boston Scientific, with expanded use in TAVR and adjacent procedures like mitral interventions amid surging demand for minimally invasive cardiology.[2][3] Trends like broader TAVR eligibility, AI-guided imaging, and next-gen valves will amplify its role in reducing periprocedural risks, potentially driving further trials and global penetration. As structural heart markets grow, its influence endures as a safety cornerstone, humanizing high-stakes interventions and paving safer paths for endovascular innovation—echoing its origin as a brain-protecting breakthrough in TAVR's rise.[1][2]
Claret Medical has raised $40.0M across 4 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $15.0M Series C in October 2017.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2017 | $15M Series C | Lightstone Ventures | Morgenthaler Ventures, Easton Capital, HealthCor Partners Management, Incept, Sante Ventures | Announced |
| Aug 1, 2014 | $18M Series B | James Eadie | Lightstone Ventures, Morgenthaler Ventures, Easton Capital | Announced |
| Jul 1, 2013 | $3.6M Venture Round | — | — | Announced |
| Nov 4, 2011 | $3.4M Series A | — | — | Announced |
Claret Medical has raised $40.0M in total across 4 funding rounds.
Claret Medical's investors include Lightstone Ventures, Morgenthaler Ventures, Easton Capital, HealthCor Partners Management, Incept, Sante Ventures, James Eadie.