Ajax Health announced today that it formed and provided funding for Cortex, a new developer of ablation technology for treating AFib.
Cortex launches with $90 million in funding commitments, led by KKR and Hellman & Friedman. AI Life Sciences and other investors also participated in this initial funding. KKR and H&F invested through the Cordis Accelerator, Cordis-X.
The new company brings together expert teams with complementary innovations in electrophysiology, according to a news release. It aims to accelerate the development and clinical validation of next-generation ablation solutions and AFib mapping technology.
The technology coming out of Cortex will be diagnostic and pulsed-field ablation (PFA) catheters. Ablacon’s Electrographic Flow mapping technology will provide comprehensive mapping and navigation capabilities. This mapping helps detect AFib sources, supporting personalized ablation therapy to potentially improve outcomes.
Cortex says it designed its fully integrated solution suite to enable more precise therapy planning and delivery. It hopes to optimize clinical outcomes and safety for AFib patients while simplifying workflows and improving efficiencies.
The company joins the highly competitive field of pulsed-field ablation. Companies like Boston Scientific, Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson’s Biosense Webster and more are vying for the leadership position in that market.
“Cortex’s vision is to enable more intelligent AFib treatment,” said Duke Rohlen, CEO of Ajax Health and CEO of Cortex. “We are developing solutions that prioritize precision, simplicity, and efficiency to simultaneously improve patient outcomes and lower procedural cost.”
