Circe Biomedical

About Circe Biomedical

Circe Biomedical was a privately held biomedical company that developed bioartificial organs and therapeutic cell systems to treat diseases of the liver and pancreas. The company's work focused on integrating living mammalian cells with both extracorporeal and implantable devices to replace the function of a failing organ.

The firm's lead product was the HepatAssist® Liver Support System, an extracorporeal, bioartificial device that integrated viable liver cells with biocompatible membranes. Designed for patients with acute liver failure, the system aimed to provide temporary liver function, acting as a bridge to either organ recovery or transplantation. During treatment, a patient's plasma would be circulated through a cartridge containing pig liver cells (hepatocytes), which could perform many of the metabolic and detoxification functions of a healthy liver. Clinical trials for the HepatAssist® system began as early as 1998. Another key product in its pipeline was the PancreAssist® System, a preclinical, implantable bioartificial pancreas designed to treat insulin-dependent diabetes. The company held numerous patents for its technologies, including an artificial pancreas and methods for cryopreserving hepatocytes.

Investors in Circe Biomedical included Advanced Technology Ventures, Asahi Chemical, and Bessemer Venture Partners. The company was eventually acquired by Bausch Health Companies.