TripleMed wants to improve the treatment of aortic aneurysms with a new investment from LIOF and Chemelot Ventures

More than 150,000 patients worldwide are treated for aortic aneurysms each year. Over 10 percent of all aortic aneurysms previously treated with stent grafts experience leakage and further growth of the aneurysm. There are currently no effective treatments for these.

TripleMed wants to change that. This Geleen-based medical startup focuses on improving the treatment of aortic aneurysms. A consortium of existing and new investors has contributed more than two million euros to enable the clinical studies needed for CE marking and market launch. The aim is to achieve CE marking in early 2025. LIOF previously invested through the Limburg Business Development Fund (LBDF) and has now taken a stake in the company through the Participation Fund. Existing shareholder Brightlands Venture Partners reinvested in TripleMed from their Chemelot Ventures fund.

What is an aortic aneurysm?

An aortic aneurysm is an abnormal bulge or dilation in the aortic wall, the largest artery in the human body that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. This bulge can occur due to weakness in the aortic wall, which can cause the affected area to stretch and swell. Aneurysms can occur anywhere in the aorta, but they are most common in the abdominal aorta (abdominal aortic aneurysm) and the thoracic aorta that runs through the chest (thoracic aortic aneurysm).
The size and rate at which an aortic aneurysm grows can vary. Small aneurysms can remain stable and cause little to no symptoms. In contrast, larger aneurysms can lead to serious complications such as rupture or dissection (in which the inner layer of the aorta ruptures, leading to bleeding within the wall layers). A ruptured aneurysm is a life-threatening situation that requires immediate medical attention.
The exact cause of aortic aneurysms is not always clear. Still, several factors can increase the risk, including smoking, high blood pressure, hereditary diseases, age, and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
Symptoms can vary depending on the location and size of the aneurysm and may include pain in the back, chest, abdomen, and between the shoulder blades, as well as a throbbing sensation in the abdomen. However, many aortic aneurysms are discovered by chance during examinations for other conditions, as smaller aneurysms often do not cause symptoms.
Treatment for aortic aneurysms can range from regular monitoring to keep an eye on growth to surgical procedures to repair the aneurysm and prevent it from rupturing. The choice of treatment depends on several factors, including the size and location of the aneurysm, the presence of symptoms, and the patient’s overall health.

Lenn Houbiers, investment manager at LIOF: “The TripleMed solution will eventually ensure a more efficient management of aortic aneurysms, a better quality of life, and lower healthcare costs. In doing so, TripleMed makes an important contribution to the health transition, one of the transitions LIOF is strongly committed to.”

Solutions under development

TripleMed is currently conducting clinical studies at several hospitals in the Netherlands and Belgium to validate AneuFix Endoleak Repair (fixing a leak after aneurysm surgery) and AneuFill Prophylactic Sac Filling (preventive insertion of a polymer to prevent leaks). The AneuFix/AneuFill concept is a 2-component polymer in a syringe. Upon insertion, the two components are mixed and then hardened into an elastic permanent implant in the aneurysm.

Clinical trials started in 2020, and 33 patients have been treated to date. The interim results of the clinical trial are positive, in 89% of patients the leakage remains stopped for a long time. By the end of 2024, the company hopes to have treated 57 patients, thus completing the clinical study to obtain a CE Marking for AneuFix, followed in 2026 by a CE Marking for Aneufill.

“We are pleased with the new financial injection that will allow us to continue our research and achieve the certification required for the market launch of both products” said Tjeerd Homsma, CEO of TripleMed.