Cala Health Secures $50 Million in Oversubscribed Funding to Advance Non-Invasive Tremor Therapy and Expand Commercial Reach
Cala Health, a pioneering bioelectronic medicine company based in San Mateo, California, has successfully completed an oversubscribed $50 million growth round. This significant funding was co-led by Vertex Growth Fund and Nexus NeuroTech Ventures, with participation from all existing investors, including Action Potential, Johnson & Johnson Innovation – JJDC, Lightstone, Lux Capital, GV (Google Ventures), OSF Ventures, Ascension Ventures, TriVentures, Reimagined Ventures, Peak6, and Fiscus.
The funding will be instrumental in propelling Cala Health’s commercialization trajectory, particularly following the recent positive Medicare Coverage Determination for Cala TAPS (Transcutaneous Afferent Patterned Stimulation) Therapy. This therapy offers a non-invasive alternative for action hand tremor relief in individuals suffering from essential tremors (ET) and Parkinson’s disease.
Cala Health’s innovative approach to bioelectronic medicine involves wearable neuromodulation therapies that merge advancements in neuroscience and technology to deliver individualized peripheral nerve stimulation. The company’s flagship product, the Cala kIQ System, works by sensing each individual’s distinct tremor signature and delivering personalized stimulation to the nerves on the wrist, which then communicates with the brain to counteract the tremor.
The recent funding round underscores the strong support from both legacy and new investors who believe in Cala Health’s vision and first-in-class, on-demand technology to address tremor relief. The company’s CEO, Deanna Harshbarger, expressed excitement about the funding, stating that it will allow Cala Health to broaden patient and physician awareness of this effective and innovative treatment.
Essential tremor, a condition affecting more than seven million people, is often treated with drugs that can cause side effects such as fatigue and nausea, while surgical options carry the risk of irreversible side effects. Cala Health’s non-invasive therapy offers a promising alternative, with a recent study by CVS Health presented at the Movement Disorders Congress highlighting the therapy’s substantial benefits for individuals with ET, including decreased healthcare costs and enhanced clinical outcomes.
The Cala kIQ System, launched in June 2023, has been FDA-cleared and clinically validated as a non-invasive device for the relief of hand tremors, allowing patients with essential tremor to return to the moments that matter. With this new funding, Cala Health aims to expand operations and development efforts, further advancing its mission to transform the standard of care for chronic diseases.
Cala Health’s commitment to innovation and patient care is backed by leading investors in both healthcare and technology. The company’s focus on expanding clinical evidence and patient access to its neurostimulation therapy is a testament to its dedication to improving the lives of individuals affected by essential tremor and other chronic conditions.
The successful funding round marks a significant milestone for Cala Health, positioning the company for continued growth and success in the bioelectronic medicine sector. With its groundbreaking technology and strong investor support, Cala Health is poised to make a lasting impact on the treatment of chronic diseases.