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SpaceOAR is a technology company.
SpaceOAR has raised $6.0M across 1 funding round.
SpaceOAR has raised $6.0M in total across 1 funding round.
SpaceOAR is not an independent technology company but a flagship hydrogel product originally developed by Augmenix, Inc., and acquired by Boston Scientific in 2018. The SpaceOAR Hydrogel (and its advanced version, SpaceOAR Vue) is a minimally invasive, absorbable spacer injected between the prostate and rectum to protect the rectum—"organ at risk" (OAR)—during radiation therapy for prostate cancer.[1][4][5][6] It serves prostate cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy, such as external beam, IMRT, or SBRT, by reducing radiation exposure to healthy rectal tissue, thereby minimizing long-term urinary, bowel, and sexual side effects while preserving quality of life.[2][3][4][5][6] Over 280,000 units have shipped globally by 2023, with adoption at top U.S. cancer centers and Medicare coverage, demonstrating strong clinical validation through randomized trials, ~300 publications, and NCCN guideline recommendations.[4][7]
Augmenix, Inc., the original developer of SpaceOAR, was founded in 2008 by Incept LLC in the Boston area, backed by leading venture capital firms, with a focus on proprietary hydrogel technologies for radiation oncology.[1] The SpaceOAR System emerged to address radiotherapy complications in prostate cancer, gaining CE mark and TGA approval for EU/Australia launch in 2010–2012, followed by the first publications from a European pilot study.[4] Pivotal U.S. progress came in 2015 with rapid adoption post-FDA clearance and clinical study results, as highlighted by CEO John Pedersen.[1] Boston Scientific acquired Augmenix and SpaceOAR in 2018–2019, accelerating global rollout: SpaceOAR Vue launched in the U.S. (2019), EU (2020), with nationwide Medicare coverage and Japan studies by 2021.[4] Early traction built on proven reduction in side effects, evolving into a standard pre-treatment option used in over 50,000 patients worldwide.[5][7]
SpaceOAR rides the wave of precision oncology, where rising prostate cancer incidence (affecting millions annually) meets advances in radiotherapy like SBRT and IMRT, demanding tools to protect adjacent organs without compromising tumor targeting.[4][5] Timing aligns with post-2010s shifts toward patient-centric care—emphasizing quality-of-life preservation amid side effect concerns—fueled by payer support like CMS/Medicare coverage and NCCN endorsements.[4] Market forces favor it: aging populations, minimally invasive tech demand, and Boston Scientific's scale (36K employees, $1B R&D, 120 countries) enable global reach, influencing radiotherapy standards by setting benchmarks for spacers and hydrogel innovations in urology/oncology.[2][4] It shapes ecosystems by enabling higher radiation doses to tumors, improving outcomes at leading centers.
SpaceOAR, under Boston Scientific, is poised for expanded adoption with ongoing post-market studies (e.g., Japan) and potential extensions to other cancers via hydrogel platforms.[1][4] Trends like AI-driven imaging, personalized RT dosing, and value-based care will amplify its role, especially as Vue's visibility cuts costs and visits.[2][3] Influence may evolve toward broader oncology applications, solidifying its place in preserving life quality amid aggressive treatments—reinforcing its origin as a clinician-validated shield against radiotherapy's hidden costs.[4][6]
SpaceOAR has raised $6.0M in total across 1 funding round.
SpaceOAR's investors include Ascension Ventures.
SpaceOAR has raised $6.0M across 1 funding round. Most recently, it raised $6.0M Series B in October 2009.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 1, 2009 | $6.0M Series B | Ascension Ventures |