CryoFluor Therapeutics Closes Second-Round Investment.

TUCSON, Ariz. -- CryoFluor Therapeutics, a medical device company developing a novel cryosurgical technology platform, has received a second investment that will allow the company to complete a feasibility clinical trial of its device to treat abnormal uterine bleeding. Research Corporation Technologies (RCT), Endocare Inc. and Temple University participated in the investment.

The CryoFluor technology uses uncontained, cold, fluid perfluorochemicals as the cryogenic medium. The liquid cryogenic technology performs rapid, complete and controllable cryoablation of tissues. This method overcomes the limitations of conventional probe-based cryosurgery devices and creates access to a variety of new minimally invasive surgeries.

CryoFluor has completed engineering and related preclinical activities for its first product, a device to treat abnormal uterine bleeding by ablating the lining of the uterus, or endometrial ablation. Abnormal uterine bleeding is responsible for more than 1 million office visits annually in the United States.

Endocare, a publicly traded cryosurgical company in Irvine, Calif., has invested in the development of the CryoFluor endometrial ablation device. Endocare is providing engineering, fabrication, manufacturing, regulatory documentation and oversight, clinical oversight and marketing strategy support.

For the next 15 months, CryoFluor will focus on final production of clinical units, a clinical trial in Germany to determine safety and feasibility, and preparations for a pivotal clinical trial in the United States. CryoFluor also plans to expand the platform capacity of the technology by demonstrating proof of principle in one or more additional indications.

"This investment will help CryoFluor complete a clinical trial of our lead device for endometrial ablation and provide clinical proof of the superiority of our technology to treat this condition," said David Jackson, Ph.D., CryoFluor president and chief operating officer. "The data from this trial will allow the company to conduct a multicenter trial in the United States so we can bring improved care to patients with abnormal uterine bleeding."

Previously employed as an investment professional with CryoFluor's primary seed round investor, RCT, Jackson has been involved in managing CryoFluor's development program since its inception. Jackson's experience in medical technology development has helped advance several therapeutic and diagnostic technologies through early clinical studies.

RCT formed CryoFluor with Temple University to develop the work of Temple researchers Thomas H. Shaffer, Ph.D., Marla R. Wolfson, Ph.D. and Robert G. Stern, Ph.D. RCT, in Tucson, Ariz., is a technology investment and management company that provides early-stage funding and development for promising biomedical companies and technologies.

Endocare Inc. is an innovative medical device company focused on development of minimally invasive technologies for tissue and tumor ablation. Endocare has initially concentrated on developing devices for treatment of prostate cancer and believes its proprietary technologies have broad applications across a number of markets, including ablation of tumors in the kidney, lung, liver and bone.