About Us

Syntach AB is an innovation-driven company based in Lund, Sweden. We have close and extensive cooperation with various departments at the University of Lund, and other institutions.

The company was founded with the aim of creating an entirely new class of minimally invasive devices to improve the care and quality of life of a rapidly growing number of people with heart failure.

We are developing Syntach CS, a cardiac support system for patients with advanced stage congestive heart failure, and Syntach MD, a mitral repair device for the treatment of mitral valve regurgitation (leaking mitral valve). Since many patients needing cardiac support also suffer from mitral valve regurgitation, we are also developing a minimally invasive device that integrates the mitral repair device with the combines cardiac support system (Syntach CSMD).

History

Syntach was founded by Professor Jan Otto Solem from the University of Lund and Tor Peters, a Swedish entrepreneur based in Switzerland. Jan Otto Solem is a well-known cardiac surgeon specializing in heart and lung transplantation and assist devices. He has worked with and implanted all assist devices currently available. Tor Peters is the co-founder of the Occlutech Group and has over 30 years of experience in senior positions and serves on the Board of Directors of various MedTech companies.

Background

There are only three alternative therapies available for advanced stage heart failure patients, including implantable mechanical circulatory support devices, total artificial hearts, and heart transplants. Each alternative has its limitations. Mechanical circulatory devices are highly invasive devices associated with side effects such as infections or thrombi that kill over 50% of patients within 5 years. Total artificial hearts require complex and risky surgery, and are associated with infections, bleeding, clot formation, and organ failure. Additionally, patients implanted with current implantable mechanical support systems or artificial hearts experience a lower quality of life due to the external power source of the implanted device. Hearts for transplantation are significantly limited by the availability of donors, require expensive and complex heart surgery, and patients will need to be on burdensome and expensive life-long immunosuppressive medication.

Innovation

Research at the University of Lund on atrioventricular plane displacement is the base upon which Syntach has been founded. Results from this research have revealed the importance of the scooping movement of the atrioventricular plane. In healthy patients, 60% of the heart’s pumping function is generated by this movement, and atrioventricular plane displacement is significantly reduced in heart failure patients.

Using this insight to address the limitations of current mechanical support systems, we are developing Syntach CS, a fully implantable medical device for the treatment of patients with congestive heart failure. Instead of bypassing the left ventricle or replacing both ventricles (like current mechanical support devices do), our patented device represents an entirely new approach to heart failure treatment and works by restoring the natural function of the atrioventricular plane that is reduced in heart failure patients.

Syntach CS consists of a drive unit, a ring-shaped anchor implanted in the mitral plane, an additional anchor located that the apex of the heart, and an implantable power unit. Electrical power is supplied by a fully implantable and transcutaneously rechargeable battery . The system also includes a smart wrist device, hospital, and patient monitors to control and monitor Syntach CS function and battery status.

Opportunity

By providing a novel and effective product that eliminates the limitations of current treatment alternatives such as invasiveness, high costs, significant infection risk, thrombosis risk, external batteries, and impaired quality of life, Syntach will have a unique place on the market. With Syntach CS, we aim to increase patient survival rates, improve patient’s quality of life, reduce hospitalization rates, and reduce healthcare costs, meeting both clinical and socio-economic needs.