Sedivention, a Magdeburg, Germany-based medtech company, has raised €2.9 million ($3.4M) in seed funding led by bmp Ventures and IBG funds. The startup develops the Blizzard Catheter, a device for one-time outpatient cryo-ablation that disrupts gastric trunks of the vagus nerve to reduce hunger long-term. The capital will fund product development, first-in-human studies, and regulatory preparations.
GLP-1 Surge Sparks Device Demand
The raise arrives amid explosive growth in obesity treatments, with GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic projected to generate $92B in sales by 2026. Yet these therapies demand lifelong adherence and carry side effects, creating space for durable alternatives. Allurion Technologies has raised $157M+ for swallowable gastric balloons, while Fractyl Health secured $345M for duodenal ablation. Sedivention's non-implant approach targets hunger signals directly without anatomical changes.
Obesity Crisis Drives Costs Skyward
Obesity affects over 1 billion people globally, with annual healthcare costs reaching $4T. In the U.S., 2 in 5 adults are obese per CDC data. Current solutions like surgery or GLP-1 drugs fall short due to invasiveness, side effects, or poor adherence. Patients need scalable options that address root causes like impaired hunger regulation.
Cryo-Ablation Targets Vagus Nerve
Sedivention's Blizzard Catheter uses a balloon to deliver cryo-ablation in a 20-minute outpatient procedure via gastroscopy. This permanently interrupts vagus nerve signals without implants, surgery, or ongoing medication. Unlike Fractyl's hydrothermal method requiring sedation, Sedivention enables quick recovery. A second-generation prototype passed safety and efficacy tests by ETH Zurich and CV Path Institute.
As Dr. Ute Nollert, founder and CMO, noted:
"Our approach targets the underlying disruption in hunger and satiety regulation, enabling a lasting reduction in hunger without invasive procedures or lifelong treatment."
German VCs Back Medtech Innovation
The round includes HTGF, Cambridge Ventures, superangels, and a global medtech strategic investor, following an €800k HTGF pre-seed. bmp Ventures, with medtech exits like Immunic Therapeutics IPO, leads for scalable deeptech. HTGF's life sciences focus, including Tubulis acquired by Gilead, signals conviction in minimally invasive obesity plays. Regional IBG support bolsters Magdeburg operations.
Dr. Jan Engels from HTGF added:
"Sedivention combines medical evidence with a clearly scalable and cost-effective medtech approach."
Devices Market Grows to $60B
The global obesity treatment devices and therapeutics market stands at $15.92B in 2024, projected to reach $60.53B by 2030 at 22.3% CAGR. Germany's segment grows at 15% CAGR. Trends favor outpatient procedures over bariatric surgery amid GLP-1 limitations. Sedivention filed patents since 2019 and presented at EASO 2025.
Physician Founders Drive Expertise
Co-founders Dr. Ute Nollert (CMO) and Dr. Andreas Bröcker (CEO), both physicians, bring 30+ years in medtech. The four-person team includes executives with deep device development experience. Awards like Science4Life Venture Cup 2023 validate their track record. Memberships in Medical Alley and Deutsche Adipositas Gesellschaft aid U.S. and European expansion.
Clinical Trials Eye Global Rollout
Funds enable completing the device, gathering initial clinical data, and launching first-in-human studies. The company targets Europe, starting in Germany, with U.S. ambitions via Medical Alley ties. Recent milestones include CDL acceptance and XPRENEURS graduation.