Loading organizations...
CytoPherx is a technology company.
CytoPherx, now operating as SeaStar Medical, develops a proprietary medical device technology addressing hyperinflammation in critically ill patients. Its core offering is the Selective Cytopheretic Device (SCD), a cell-directed extracorporeal therapy designed to integrate with standard continuous renal replacement therapy. The SCD modulates the body's inflammatory response by targeting and neutralizing highly activated neutrophils and monocytes, reprogramming these immune cells to a less inflammatory state before their return to circulation. This mechanism quells inflammatory storms without depleting the body’s essential immune cells.
The company was founded in July 2007 by Dr. H. David Humes, a distinguished professor in the Division of Nephrology at the University of Michigan. Dr. Humes established the firm, initially named Nephrion Inc., based on his extensive research into the process of removing specific blood cells to treat various blood disorders. This foundational insight drove the development of the company's unique approach to immune modulation.
The technology primarily serves critically ill patients in intensive care units. Its initial product, QUELIMMUNE™ (SCD-PED), focuses on pediatric patients experiencing acute kidney injury due to sepsis. The company is actively pursuing broader applications, including for the adult acute kidney injury market, to commercialize its SCD technology across various critical care indications. Their vision centers on improving outcomes for patients suffering from systemic inflammation and preventing subsequent organ failure.
CytoPherx has raised $73.0M across 3 funding rounds.
CytoPherx has raised $73.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
CytoPherx is a clinical-stage medical device company developing a proprietary selective cytopheresis system to modulate inflammation in critically ill patients, primarily targeting acute kidney injury (AKI) combined with multi-organ failure, severe sepsis, or conditions requiring Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT).[1][2] The company's Selective Cytopheretic Device (SCD) integrates into renal replacement circuits to reduce systemic inflammation, aiming to lower mortality rates from over 50% by up to 15% based on early trials, while addressing a market of over 2.7 million annual U.S. AKI cases and 160,000 CRRT patients.[2] It serves ICU patients with inflammation-based diseases, solving the problem of extreme systemic inflammation that current therapies inadequately address, with potential expansion to broader inflammatory conditions.[1][2]
Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, CytoPherx raised $34 million in a 2012 Series C round led by Early Stage Partners, ONSET Ventures, and Capital Midwest Fund, plus investors like Kaiser Permanente Ventures, to fund a 344-patient U.S. pivotal trial for FDA approval and commercialization.[2][4] Early growth included expanding from 3 to 12 employees around 2010 while advancing clinical trials, with plans to reach 18 amid commercialization efforts.[3]
CytoPherx was founded in July 2007 as a University of Michigan spin-off by Dr. H. David Humes, a nephrologist focused on kidney therapies, initially emerging from research on inflammation in ICU patients with AKI.[2][3] The idea stemmed from addressing systemic inflammation driving high mortality (over 50%) in AKI patients on CRRT, where no prior innovations had reduced death rates in 20-30 years; early trials showed promising reductions.[2][3]
Pivotal early moments included a 2009 $2 million investment under a prior name tied to "cytopheresis" blood cell removal techniques, an acquisition of Immunocept Medical Products to expand blood filtration capabilities, and the 2012 $34 million raise to launch U.S. trials.[2][5][6] Leadership featured President and CEO Jim Danehy, who highlighted the therapy's potential for better outcomes and cost savings, and CFO Mark Morsfield, noting early indicators of flipping survival rates from 30% peaks to 70%+.[2][3]
CytoPherx rides the trend of targeted immunomodulation in critical care, where systemic inflammation drives poor outcomes in sepsis, AKI, and multi-organ failure amid rising ICU demands from aging populations and chronic diseases.[2][3] Timing in the early 2010s aligned with venture interest in medtech for unmet needs in renal care, as evidenced by strong syndicate funding including Kaiser Permanente, signaling validation for cost-effective devices in a value-based healthcare shift.[2][4] Market forces like high CRRT usage (160,000 U.S. patients/year) and stagnant mortality rates favored its non-drug, add-on approach, influencing the ecosystem by pioneering cytopheresis for inflammation, potentially paving the way for similar blood filtration innovations in nephrology and beyond.[2][8]
CytoPherx's trajectory hinged on FDA approval post-2012 trials, with success unlocking commercialization in AKI/sepsis markets and expansion to chronic kidney disease or other inflammations via its platform.[2][3] Trends like precision medicine, AI-driven diagnostics, and post-pandemic sepsis focus could revive or evolve its tech, especially if acquired or partnered amid medtech consolidation. Its influence may grow through licensing the SCD model, returning critically ill patients to productive lives as early leaders envisioned, tying back to its promise of flipping dismal survival odds in a field desperate for breakthroughs.[2][3]
CytoPherx has raised $73.0M in total across 3 funding rounds.
CytoPherx's investors include Capital Midwest Fund, Michael Bunker, Leslie Bottorff, Aphelion Capital, Apjohn Ventures, Charter Oak Equity, Dow/Union Carbide Employee Pension Plans, Emergent Medical Partners, Kaiser Permanente Ventures, Lurie Investments, North Coast Technology Investors, GE Ventures.
CytoPherx has raised $73.0M across 3 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $34.0M Other Equity in January 2012.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 4, 2012 | $34.0M Other Equity | Capital Midwest Fund, Michael Bunker, Leslie Bottorff | Aphelion Capital, Apjohn Ventures, Charter Oak Equity, Dow/Union Carbide Employee Pension Plans, Emergent Medical Partners, Kaiser Permanente Ventures, Lurie Investments, North Coast Technology Investors |
| Jan 1, 2012 | $34.0M Series C | GE Ventures | |
| Jun 18, 2010 | $5.0M Series B | Diamond Capital Management | Apjohn Ventures, Lurie Investments |