Pulmonx said today that its Zephyr valve designed to treat chronic respiratory disease is now covered by Priority Health under a revised lung volume reduction policy. Redwood City, Calif.-based Pulmonx’s Zephyr valves are designed to provide a less-invasive treatment option for emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by blocking off the diseased area of the […]
The 17 most innovative medical devices of 2019
The Galien Foundation recently announced nominees for most innovative medical devices for its 13th Annual Prix Galien USA Awards. The foundation awards the Prix Galien Award annually to examples of outstanding biomedical and technology product achievements that are designed to improve human condition. Nominees need to be FDA approved for market within the last five […]
Pulmonx raises $65m, taps Sung as CFO
Pulmonx said today that it raised $65 million in an oversubscribed equity round and added that it picked up Derrick Sung as its new chief financial officer. Funding in the round was lead by Ally Bridge Group and joined by newly invested RTW Investments, ArrowMark Partners, Driehaus Capital Management and existing investors, the Redwood City, […]
Pulmonx wins Aetna coverage for Zephyr endobronchial valve
Pulmonx said yesterday that it won national coverage through health insurer Aetna for its Zephyr endobronchial valve system intended for treating severe emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. The coverage will make the Zephyr valve available to Aetna’s 22 million members, the Redwood City, Calif.-based company said. Under its new policy, Aetna specifically named the […]
Pulmonx wins FDA approval for Zephyr endobronchial valve
The FDA today granted pre-market approval under its breakthrough devices designation to the Zephyr endobronchial valve made by Pulmonx for treating severe emphysema. Emphysema, a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, causes irreversible damage to the lung’s alveoli, trapping air during exhalation that in turn can cause the diseased tissue to grow larger and pressure healthy lung tissue. The […]
Pulmonx touts quality of life, lung function improvements in 1-year Zephyr endobronchial valve IDE study
Pulmonx yesterday released one-year results from the pivotal trial of its Zephyr endobronchial valve designed to treat patients with severe emphysema from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, touting significant improvements in lung function and quality of life. Results from the study were presented at the American Thoracic Society 2018 international conference and published in the American Journal […]
These medtech companies raised the most VC last year
Perhaps there’s a ray of hope that venture capital funding is recovering a bit for the medical device industry. VC firms invested more than $2.8 billion in 2017, an increase of more than $647 million from 2016, according to the MoneyTree Report from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and CB Insights. There were a total 229 deals involving […]
British health agency backs endobronchial valves from Pulmonx, OIympus
Pulmonx and Olympus (TYO:7733) won a nod from a British health agency for the endobronchial valves they sell to treat severe emphysema. The U.K.’s National Institute for Health & Care Excellence updated its guidance for the valves, saying it considers the clinical evidence behind them sufficient to support routine use. The one-way valves, Pulmonx’s Zephyr and the Spiration […]
Pulmonx touts Chartis, Zephyr combo-treatment study
Pulmonx said today data from the Stelvio trial of its Chartis system and Zephyr endobronchial valve demonstrated statistically and clinically significant outcomes in lung function, exercise capacity and quality of life in severe emphysema patients. Data from the study was published today in the New England Journal of Medicine. “When we select patients with the […]
Pulmonx touts sham trial data
Pulmonx said earlier this month that a sham-controlled trial of its Zephyr endobronchial valve met and exceeded its primary endpoints, reporting a 20.9% average improvement in lung function. The Believer-Hifi study, published in The Lancet, is the 1st successful sham-controlled trial of any invasive emphysema device, Redwood City, Calif.-based Pulmonx said. “We have been able […]
Pulmonx taps ex-Asthmatx CEO French for the corner office | Personnel Moves

Pulmonx said yesterday that it named Glen French, the co-founder and CEO of Asthmatx who led it to an acquisition by BSX, to be its new president and chief executive.