In Europe, A Device Incubator Takes On New Partners

01 Mar 2011

MD Start, a European medical device incubator, was launched in 2009 as a collaboration between medtech giant Medtronic Inc. and Paris-based venture firm Sofinnova Partners, to help European physicians bring their ideas to market. The incubator announces two new shareholders in the venture, reinforcing both its US and European connections: Milan-based cardiovascular leader Sorin Group SPA and US venture firm Versant Ventures.

MD Start, a European medical device incubator launched in 2009 as a collaboration between medtech giant Medtronic PLC and Paris-based venture firm Sofinnova Partners, has announced two new shareholders in the venture, reinforcing both its US and European connections: Milan-based cardiovascular leader Sorin Group SPA and US venture firm Versant Ventures. ( See "In Europe, Medtronic and Sofinnova Launch An Accelerator," IN VIVO, December 2009 Also see "In Europe, Medtronic and Sofinnova Launch an Accelerator" - In Vivo, 1 December, 2009..)

MD Start CEO Tim Lenihan founded the incubator along with Gérard Hascoët in an effort, in particular, to help European...