480 Biomedical

About 480 Biomedical

480 Biomedical, a clinical-stage company headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts, is focused on developing and commercializing bioresorbable scaffolds for vascular disease treatment. The company was spun out of Arsenal Medical in late 2011 to concentrate on advancing its scaffold technology to the clinical stage. This strategic move allowed Arsenal Medical to focus on its foam and nanofiber platforms while enabling 480 Biomedical to dedicate its resources to its specialized area.

The company's core technology revolves around a self-expanding, bioresorbable scaffold platform designed to treat vascular diseases in both adult and pediatric patients. This technology provides mechanical support to the vessel during the healing process and is then completely resorbed by the body, eliminating the need for a permanent implant. The lead product, the Stanza™ scaffold, is engineered to provide an optimal balance of radial force and flexibility. It is intended for treating peripheral artery disease (PAD) in the superficial femoral artery (SFA), a condition affecting millions globally. The company initiated the first human trial for the Stanza™ scaffold in 2012.

A significant area of development for 480 Biomedical is a pediatric scaffold designed to treat pulmonary artery stenosis (PAS). This condition is particularly challenging as traditional metal stents do not accommodate a child's growth and often require subsequent surgeries for removal. 480 Biomedical's self-expanding and bioresorbable scaffold offers a solution by supporting the vessel and then dissolving, negating the need for re-interventions. The development of this pediatric scaffold has received financial support from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

The company is led by President and CEO Dr. Maria Palasis, who took on the role in January 2015 and also leads Arsenal Medical. Her background includes serving as the Chief Technology Officer for both companies, where she was instrumental in creating the scaffold, foam, and nanofiber technology platforms. Before joining, Dr. Palasis was an R&D director at Boston Scientific, where she was involved in developing the highly successful TAXUS® drug-eluting stent. The board includes prominent figures such as Robert S. Langer from MIT, known for his pioneering work in drug delivery systems and tissue engineering. The company has secured significant funding from venture capital firms including Polaris Partners, North Bridge Venture Partners, and Intersouth Partners to advance its clinical trials and product development.