BeneChill

About BeneChill

BeneChill, Inc. operated as a medical device company focused on developing rapid, non-invasive cooling technologies to improve patient outcomes following acute ischemic events. Founded in 2004 by Denise Barbut, M.D., and Michael L. Berman, the San Diego-based company concentrated on the critical window for intervention after events like cardiac arrest, stroke, and traumatic brain injury. Dr. Barbut, who also served as CEO, brought a medical background to the firm's mission of preserving brain function post-ischemia.

The company's core technology was the RhinoChill® IntraNasal Cooling System, a portable, battery-operated device designed for use by emergency medical personnel in pre-hospital settings. Unlike hospital-based cooling methods, the RhinoChill system could be deployed immediately at the scene of an emergency, even during active resuscitation. This early intervention was designed to lower the brain's temperature quickly, reducing its demand for oxygen and minimizing neurological damage caused by oxygen deprivation. The system received a CE Mark in Europe in 2007, allowing for its commercialization in the EU, and was launched in several European countries through a strategic partnership with Physio-Control, a subsidiary of Medtronic. It was considered an investigational device in the United States and had not received FDA approval.

The RhinoChill system functions by spraying a proprietary, inert coolant liquid into the nasal cavity via a transnasal catheter. The nasal cavity's proximity to the brain and its rich vascular network make it an effective natural heat exchanger. As the coolant evaporates, it rapidly removes heat, preferentially cooling the brain before lowering the core body temperature. The portable nature of the device, which does not require refrigeration, made it suitable for ambulances and emergency response teams. BeneChill's business model focused on selling the device and disposable components to emergency medical services and hospitals. The company raised a total of $41.6 million in funding over six rounds from investors including MedVenture Associates and NGN Capital. In October 2016, all assets of Benechill, including the rights to RhinoChill, were acquired by the Swedish medical device company BrainCool AB for SEK 19 million.