C2 Therapeutics

About C2 Therapeutics

C2 Therapeutics was a medical device company founded in 2007 by Rick Williams and Peter Garcia-Meza. Based in Redwood City, California, the company focused on developing less invasive treatments for Barrett's Esophagus, a precancerous condition often resulting from chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The company's primary innovation was the C2 CryoBalloon™ Ablation System, also known as the Coldplay System.

The C2 CryoBalloon™ is a through-the-scope, compliant balloon catheter used in endoscopic procedures. It delivers an inert cryogen, nitrous oxide, to freeze and destroy unwanted, precancerous tissue in the esophagus. The system was designed to be intuitive, fast, and cost-effective, offering an alternative to the more cumbersome radiofrequency ablation methods. The technology works by inflating the balloon to conform to the esophageal lumen and then cooling it to cause necrosis (cell death) of the targeted abnormal cells, while preserving the underlying tissue structure. This process aims for complete eradication of dysplastic (abnormal) cells and intestinal metaplasia with minimal post-procedure pain.

Over its history, C2 Therapeutics raised approximately $29 million in funding over several rounds, with investors including De Novo Ventures and Synergy Ventures. In January 2017, the company was acquired by PENTAX Medical, a division of the HOYA Group, for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition was intended to strengthen PENTAX Medical's portfolio in therapeutic endoscopy, expanding its offerings from diagnostics to advanced therapeutic solutions. Following the acquisition, C2 Therapeutics began operating under the PENTAX Medical name in June 2018.