graphic representation of a brain microchip

Vonova’s Successful Seed Financing for Revolutionary Brain Access Technology

Vonova’s Successful Seed Financing for Revolutionary Brain Access Technology

NIH-supported neurotechnology startup secures investment from XEIA, Device of Tomorrow Capital, and SmartGate VC

BETHESDA, MD – April 28, 2025 – Vonova Inc. has secured seed financing from a consortium of investors including XEIA, Device of Tomorrow Capital, and SmartGate VC. This investment milestone represents significant market validation for Vonova’s Cerebro Clear system, which includes a revolutionary endovascular platform that provides access to the brain without drilling through the skull.

“We’re excited about Vonova’s Cerebro Clear system and what this will mean for patients suffering from chronic subdural hematomas,” shared Samantha Tabone, General Partner at XEIA. “We’re also extremely enthusiastic about the platform potential and future impact that Vonova’s products will have on the neurotech ecosystem at large.”

Founded by Wesley Jones and Dr. José Morales, Vonova has developed a transformative approach by adapting minimally invasive vascular techniques originally pioneered for cardiac applications. Their Cerebro platform creates a natural pathway to the subdural space, enabling treatment of neurological conditions without traditional skull drilling procedures. The company recently completed preclinical testing for Cerebro Clear, their first clinical application targeting chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) treatment.

Vonova strategically selected cSDH as their initial indication because it provides an ideal entry point for this novel procedure. This focus addresses a significant unmet clinical need while facilitating adoption among interventional specialists and adding value to all stakeholders in the healthcare system.

Vonova previously received funding through the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Blueprint MedTech program, an NIH incubator program co-administered by NeuroTech Harbor (NTH) and the Center for Innovative NeuroTech Advancement (CINTA).

“We’re thrilled to congratulate Vonova on this important financing milestone,” said Dr. Sridevi Sarma, Executive Director of NeuroTech Harbor. “Their ability to attract investment from strategic, industry-savvy investors validates both the clinical need for their technology and the strong foundation built during their participation in the Blueprint MedTech program. Vonova’s progress exemplifies our mission to de-risk promising neurotechnologies so that additional investment from industry partners and investors is viable.”

“The support from NIH’s Blueprint MedTech program has been instrumental in advancing our technology and preparing us for this investment round,” said Wesley Jones, Co-Founder and CEO of Vonova. “The program’s non-dilutive funding, expert consultation services, and strategic guidance helped us refine our go to market strategy. This seed financing will accelerate our path to bringing this transformative technology to patients.”

Chronic subdural hematoma affects over 100,000 patients annually in the U.S. alone, with particularly high risk for elderly patients. Traditional treatment requires invasive neurosurgery for the placement of a tube through the skull, followed by 48 hours in the intensive care unit (ICU) for drainage. Vonova’s approach offers a less invasive and cost savings alternative by accessing the subdural space through the venous system, allowing for hematoma evacuation in a radiology suite rather than an operating room, with faster recovery times and without the need for an ICU stay.

The investment will support Vonova’s continued development and clinical preparation for the Cerebro Clear system. Beyond cSDH treatment, the technology has potential applications in neural diagnostics for epilepsy, targeted drug delivery to the brain, brain-computer interfaces, and neuromodulation for chronic neurological disorders.

Blueprint MedTech Hubs Funding/Award Acknowledgements: Research reported in this press release was supported by the BRAIN Initiative and NIBIB of the National Institutes of Health under award numbers U54EB033650 and U54EB033664.

About Blueprint MedTech

Blueprint MedTech is an NIH incubator program that accelerates the development of cutting-edge medical devices to diagnose and/or treat disorders of the nervous system. The program aims to catalyze the translation of novel technologies from early-stage development to readiness for first-in-human clinical studies by providing non-dilutive funding and expert support services.

For more information about Blueprint MedTech, visit https://blueprintneurotech.org/

About Vonova Inc.

Vonova Inc. is a medical technology company redefining access to the brain through its innovative endovascular platform, Cerebro. By utilizing the body’s venous system, Vonova aims to revolutionize the treatment of chronic neurological disorders, including chronic subdural hematomas, with a focus on safer, faster, and more effective interventions.

For more information about Vonova and the Cerebro platform, visit www.vonova.io

Media Contacts:

Blueprint MedTech: info@blueprintneurotech.org

Vonova: wesley@vonova.io

 

Note: This press release contains forward-looking statements about product performance, regulatory approval timelines, and market adoption. Actual results may differ due to various risks and uncertainties, including clinical trial results and regulatory developments.

brain images on tablet

Blueprint MedTech Awardees

Blueprint MedTech Awardees

NIH’s Blueprint MedTech program has issued eight Optimizer project awards from its first competition cycle. The first round of these awards totals $11M. These projects will be administered by the two Blueprint MedTech Incubator Hubs—Cimit’s Center for Innovative NeuroTech Advancement (CINTA) and NeuroTech Harbor (NTH).

In addition to the Innovator awards, Blueprint MedTech is extending Seedling awards to 17 innovators whose applications represented special merit but were not quite ready for a larger development award. Seedling awards provide support for six months, a $25,000 stipend, and $25,000 to hire subject matter experts. For these, mentors will work with awardees to help resolve specifically identified gap(s) on the path to commercialization. Each of these awardees also has access to $50,000 of in-kind support via mentoring, regulatory consulting, and other commercialization training.

Finally, Blueprint MedTech also has Translator project awards made via UG3/UH3 and U44 cooperative agreement funding mechanisms after NIH grant review. We have listed the first four awards made via these funding mechanisms below as well.

Blueprint MedTech Cycle 1 Optimizer awardees:

For additional details on the Optimizer awards, please see this NIBIB Science Highlight.

Awardee Institution Optimizer Project Title Funding NIH Institute(s)
University of California, Los Angeles; University of California, San Diego; and Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore MonOs NIDA
NeuraStasis, Inc., Houston* Development/Testing of BlueStem Dual Nerve Stimulation Device for Ischemic Stroke NINDS
University of Arizona, Tucson* External focused ultrasound modulation of the dorsal root ganglia NIDA and NINDS
Endovascular Horizons and University of California San Francisco Embodrain technology for chronic subdural hematomas NINDS
Boston University and Harvard University, Boston* reNeu propulsion rehabilitation platform for gait restoration after neurological disease NICHD/National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR), and NINDS
Northern Arizona University and Biomotum, Inc., Flagstaff A wearable rehabilitation robot for children to use at home NINDS
Openwater, Inc., San Francisco Wearable noninvasive, transcranial focused ultrasound neuromodulation with near-infrared optical neuromonitoring BRAIN Initiative
SecondWave Systems, Inc., Minneapolis Treatment of Facial Pain using an Injectable Ultrasonically Powered Neurostimulator NIDCR
Battelle Memorial Institute, Columbus At-home, closed-loop vagus nerve stimulation system to restore hand function in individuals with stroke NINDS

*participant in the 2022 Blueprint MedTech pilot

Blueprint MedTech Cycle 2 Optimizer awardees:

For additional details on the Cycle 2 Optimizer awards, please see this NIBIB Science Highlight.

Awardee Institution Optimizer Project Title Funding NIH Institute(s)
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore Continuous intrapartum fetal brain monitoring using a wearable ultrasound/photoacoustic device NINDS
Blackrock Neurotech, Salt Lake City Subcutaneous Intersectional Electrical Stimulation (SIES) for Seizure NINDS
Aneuvas Technologies, Flagstaff, AZ Balloon-Stent Device for Minimally-Invasive Temporary Aneurysm Occlusion and Embolization NINDS
University of Pittsburgh, PA VentriculoAmniotic Shunting for Fetal Aqueductal Stenosis NINDS
Stanford University, CA A single-cell and cell-type resolution artificial retina for vision restoration NEI
Washington University in St. Louis, MO Modular Non-Invasive Brain-Computer Interface System for Treating Chronic Neuropathic Pain HEAL Initiative

Blueprint MedTech Cycle 1 Seedling awardees (see descriptions from the Neurotech Harbor web page):

Awardee Institution Seedling Project Title Funding NIH Institute(s)
UCSF, San Francisco An Implantable Closed-Loop Neuromodulation Device for Neuropsychiatric Disorders BRAIN Initiative
Lundquist Institute, Los Angeles Endovascular Electrode Device for Transvenous Electroencephalography BRAIN Initiative
Johns Hopkins University, Maryland Photoacoustic Retinal Prosthesis NEI
Asayena, Inc., La Jolla Neuromodulation Device for Restoration of Motor Function NICHD/NCMRR
MIT, Cambridge Magnetomicrometry NICHD/NCMRR, NINDS
Motif Neurotech, Inc., Houston Minimally Invasive Implants for Treatment-Resistant Depression BRAIN Initiative
UNandUP, LLC, St.Louis Magneto-Thrombolysis to Improve Acute Ischemic Stroke Care NINDS
JUAD Neurotech, Irvine Minimally Invasive Device for Epilepsy Surgery NINDS, BRAIN Initiative
Longeviti Neuro Solutions, Baltimore Monitoring GBM Through Implantable Ultrasound Transducer NINDS
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore A Non-Invasive Imaging Device to Modernize Treatment of Peripheral Nerve Injuries NINDS
FemiStim, Gainesville Florida FemiStim, the Sexual Health Neurostimulator for Victims of Female Genital Mutilation NINDS
Arizona State University, Phoenix Wireless, Injectable Neurostimulators (WINS) for Treating Chronic Migraine (CM) NINDS
University of Utah, Salt Lake City Drug Delivering Nervewrap for Peripheral Nerve Regeneration NINDS
Neuroview Technology, Inc., Englewood, New Jersey Subgaleal Hyper-chronic EEG Monitoring Platform NINDS
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore Development of a Smart Cerebrospinal Fluid Management Implant in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury NINDS
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore Implantable Ultrasound Transducer for Remote Spinal Cord Injury Monitoring NINDS
MacHouse Designs, LLC, Loveland, Colorado In vivo Visualization of Peripheral Nerves Using Novel CT Contrast Agents NIDCR

Blueprint MedTech Cycle 2 Seedling awardees (see descriptions from the Neurotech Harbor web page):

Awardee Institution Seedling Project Title Funding NIH Institute(s)
Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA Point-of-care Transcranial Focused Ultrasound Neuromodulator for Treating Chronic Pain NIDA
Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH ForeVR: Biofeedback-Based Virtual Reality to Treat Pain in Children and Adolescents NIDA
AutonomUS Medical Technologies, Inc., Boston, MA Reducing Opioid Use after Total Knee Replacement through Semi-automated AI-Enabled Ultrasound-Guided Robotic Adductor Canal Nerve Block NIDA
FavFacture LLC, Baltimore, MD Disruptive Multi-site TMS Tools For improving Impaired Brain Connectivity NIDA
Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ Prevention of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy with wearable, closed-loop, transcutaneous, diaphragmatic pacemakers NINDS
NeuroNexus Technologies, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI Novel IV-Like Subgaleal Electrode Device for EEG-Based Brain Monitoring in Critical Illness NINDS
CoolSpine LLC, Woodbury, CT Intrathecal Cooling Catheter to Provide Neuroprotection to Avoid Paraplegia resulting from Open and Endovascular Thoracic Aneurysm Repair NINDS
FavFacture LLC/ Duke University, Durham, NC Localization of the Epileptogenic Zone to Improve Outcomes of Epilepsy Surgery NINDS
Thermeutics, LLC, Dallas, TX Novel neural cooling implant to halt glioblastoma NINDS
Columbia University/ CranioSense, New York, NY Development and clinical evaluation of a novel non-invasive intracranial pressure assessment and monitoring device NINDS
vizma.ai, Raleigh, NC PolarEasePro prepares injectable MRI contrasts for molecular imaging NINDS
UpStim LLC, Rochester, MN UpStim: Cortically-controlled VR-guided Robotic Rehabilitation Enhanced with Spinal Cord Stimulation NINDS
Emboa Medical Inc, West Lafayette, IN Thrombus Retriever Aspiration Platform (TRAP) for medium vessel occlusion thrombectomy NINDS
Pioneer Neurotech, Inc, Louisville, KY Long-gap nerve-repair device NINDS
Haystack Diagnostics, Brookline, MA Gemini Electrodiagnostic System (Gemini EDx) NINDS
Brain Temp Inc, Bryn Mawr, PA BrainTemp BTneo Brain Temperature Monitoring System NINDS
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI PAIM (Personalized Automated Intelligent Management) – Effectively Addressing Chronic Pain Assessment NINDS
Teliatry Inc, Richardson, TX Implantable NIRS Sensor: Optical monitoring of Spinal cord injury (SCI) NINDS
The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX A wearable soft fabric sensing device for detecting and monitoring dysphagia in Parkinson’s disease NICHD/NCMRR
Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA Local delivery of high concentrations of minocycline from a biomaterial-based drug delivery system to promote neuroprotection & functional recovery after spinal cord injury NINDS
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA Innovative Sight Recovery: Non-Invasive Ultrasound Retinal Stimulation​ NEI
UCSF, San Francisco, CA An Automated Process for Optimizing and Predicting Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Pain HEAL Initiative

BPMT Translator Awards:

The Blueprint MedTech program also has Translator Cooperative Agreement awards,  Blueprint MedTech Translator (UG3/UH3 – Clinical Trial Optional), PAR-21-315 and Blueprint MedTech: Small Business Translator (U44 – Clinical Trial Optional), PAR-21-282. The following awards have been made in these programs to date:

  • U44 DA059380-01   John Konsin, PI, Prapela, Inc.  ​
    • Prapela® SVS incubator pad: A cost-effective stochastic vibrotactile device to improve the clinical course of infants with apnea of prematurity
  • U44 NS136026-01A1  (BRAIN NOSI) Haidong Peng, PI, Neuro42, Inc. ​
    • Portable Intraoperative MRI for Neurosurgery
  • UG3 NS130338-01A1   Richard Webb, PI, Rhaeos, Inc.
    • Development of wireless, wearable flow sensors for continuous, long-term tracking of cerebrospinal fluid dynamics in patients with hydrocephalus
  • UG3 NS135551-01 (HEAL NOSI) Charles Caskey, PI, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
    • Translating an MR-guided focused ultrasound system for first-in-human precision neuromodulation of pain circuits
  • U44 DA060264-01 Xiaofeng Xia, PI, Instanosis, Inc.
    • Addressing Emerging Drug Threats with InstaStrip Rapid Tests
  • U44 DA059627-01 Patrik Schmidle, PI, Cari Health, Inc.
    • Methadone Dosing System (MDS)
  • U44 DA061027-01 Ashkan Vaziri, PI, Biosensics, LLC.
    • ODAlert: Wearable Device for Automatic Detection of Opioid-Induced Respiratory Arrest