Spirox

About Spirox

In 2013, Donald Gonzales founded Spirox with a focus on a common but underserved medical need: nasal obstruction. The company, initially known as Nasoform, set out to develop a less invasive treatment for nasal valve collapse, a condition that makes breathing difficult for millions. Spirox's core innovation was the LATERA Absorbable Nasal Implant, a small device designed to support the cartilage inside the nose, improving airflow. This approach offered an alternative to more complex surgical procedures like rhinoplasty. The company progressed through several venture capital funding rounds, including an angel round in 2011, a Series A1 in 2013, and a significant $45 million Series C in 2016 led by KKR. This capital infusion was aimed at accelerating commercialization and funding extensive clinical programs to validate the implant's effectiveness and safety. With Duke Rohlen as CEO, the company began to scale its operations, targeting the large number of patients already undergoing related nasal surgeries. A major turning point for Spirox came in July 2017. The medical technology company Entellus Medical announced it would acquire Spirox in a deal valued at approximately $81 million. The acquisition consisted of $25 million in cash and 3.4 million shares of Entellus stock, plus potential future payments based on revenue growth. The move integrated Spirox's innovative LATERA implant into Entellus's broader portfolio of ENT-focused products, completing Spirox's journey from a startup to a successful acquisition.