France-based Mérieux Développement, the healthcare investment company for Institute Mérieux, has invested an undisclosed sum in US-based medical device producer Kalila Medical.
Mérieux’s investment is part of a larger partnership with medical technology incubator Shifamed, which incubated Kalila Medical. Isaac J. Bright, managing director of Mérieux, said the partnership will “support development and initial commercialisation of disruptive medical device companies.”
Kalila had previously sought investment solely through small investors and this is its first investment from a large corporation. The company will use Mérieux’s money to commercialise its next generation of steerable catheter technology and will seek to benefit from Mérieux’s resources and its experience in bringing products to market.
The Mérieux Institute currently employs 15,000 people worldwide through its biotech and science companies, which include Mérieux NutriSciences Transgene and Advanced BioScience Laboratories.