California-based ZipLine Medical has developed a non-invasive alternative to staples and sutures that is designed to quickly close wounds with the benefit of reducing risk of infection and scarring. The company has announced a more than $16 million round of financing and is looking to raise an additional $10.5 million.
Back in October 2014, ZipLine closed a $5.7 million extension to its Series C financing round. The company’s surgical suture is classified as Class I, 510(k) exempt and has received a CE Mark, as well as regulatory approval in Japan and South Korea. It’s currently available for distribution.
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How the Zip Surgical Skin Closure works is two sticky strips are placed over an incision and then tightened to close it adjustable ratcheted ties – a bandage is then placed on top of the product.
The closure comes in many lengths that can be trimmed to customize and can be used to treat wounds on many parts of the body. Part of the benefit is the flexibility of the product, which makes it easier for patients to continue normal movement without disrupting the healing of the wound.
The company was unavailable to comment on how the financing will be used moving forward before the publication of this article.
Watch an animation of how the ZipLine product works here.
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A specialty drug is a class of prescription medications used to treat complex, chronic or rare medical conditions. Although this classification was originally intended to define the treatment of rare, also termed “orphan” diseases, affecting fewer than 200,000 people in the US, more recently, specialty drugs have emerged as the cornerstone of treatment for chronic and complex diseases such as cancer, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, hepatitis C, and HIV/AIDS.
Photo: Screenshot via ZipLine Medical