Vittamed

About Vittamed

Vittamed is a neurodiagnostics medical device company operating in the medical devices and equipment industry. Founded in February 2005, the firm has a U.S. base in Boston, with its research, development, and manufacturing operations located in Lithuania. The company focuses on addressing the risks and high costs associated with traditional invasive methods of measuring intracranial pressure (ICP), such as intraventricular catheters and lumbar punctures.

The company's core technology originated at the Health Telematics Science Center at Kaunas University of Technology in Lithuania. Vittamed's CEO is Remis Bistras, who has a background in business development and M&A in the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors, having previously been an executive at Novartis/CIBA Vision and EyeGate Pharmaceuticals. A significant milestone was achieved in July 2014, when Vittamed received CE Mark approval for two of its key products, signaling their compliance with European health and safety standards and paving the way for commercialization.

Vittamed has developed a platform of non-invasive neuromonitoring devices that utilize Doppler ultrasound. Its primary product, the Vittamed 205, is a non-invasive ICP meter that measures the absolute pressure value in millimeters of mercury (mmHg). This is accomplished by using the ophthalmic artery as a natural sensor; the device applies controlled external pressure to the eye and uses a two-depth Doppler ultrasound to compare blood flow in the intracranial and extracranial segments of the artery to determine the ICP. The system has been clinically validated in multicenter trials in the EU and USA, showing it to be accurate without needing individual patient calibration. The Vittamed 505 is another device for non-invasively monitoring cerebrovascular autoregulation, which is crucial for assessing cerebral blood flow in patients with conditions like traumatic brain injury, stroke, or during cardiac surgery. These devices are intended for use in critical care units and outpatient settings, providing a safer alternative to invasive procedures.

The business model centers on the commercialization of these devices. After securing a $10 million Series A funding round in October 2015, led by Xeraya Capital, Vittamed planned to launch its products in Europe, Australia, and other regions. The funding was also designated to support a 510(k) submission to the FDA for U.S. market entry. The target clients are clinicians, neurosurgeons, and hospitals dealing with neurological conditions, traumatic brain injuries, hydrocephalus, and stroke.