Emphasys Medical

About Emphasys Medical

Emphasys Medical, Inc. was a medical technology company founded in 2000 to develop minimally invasive treatments for severe emphysema. The company's core product was the Zephyr® Endobronchial Valve (EBV), a small, one-way valve implanted via a bronchoscope. The device was designed to block airways to the most diseased parts of the lung, preventing air from entering while allowing trapped air and fluids to escape, thereby reducing lung hyperinflation and allowing healthier lung tissue to function more effectively.

The company focused on developing a therapeutic alternative to more invasive lung volume reduction surgery. Over its lifespan, Emphasys Medical raised approximately $90 million in funding from venture capital firms including ABS Ventures, OrbiMed Advisors, and Morgenthaler Ventures. It conducted the Endobronchial Valve for Emphysema PalliatioN Trial (VENT), a multi-center study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Zephyr EBV. In October 2007, the company submitted a pre-market approval (PMA) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, after a lengthy development and clinical trial process, the FDA rejected the submission, leading the company to close its business and sell its assets.

In May 2009, Pulmonx, Inc. acquired all assets of Emphasys Medical, including the endobronchial valve technology platform, which was formerly known as the Zephyr® EBV. Pulmonx integrated this technology with its own diagnostic tools to improve patient selection and outcomes for the therapy. The Zephyr valve later received FDA approval in 2018 under Pulmonx's ownership.