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inHEART

Company Overview

inHEART is a medical technology company that provides cloud-based medical image analysis solutions for cardiac interventions on patients with arrhythmias. The company was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Pessac, France, with an additional office in Cambridge, Massachusetts. inHEART’s core product is an AI-enabled digital twin of the heart that allows physicians to visualize cardiac anatomy with unprecedented detail to optimize treatment strategies and improve clinical outcomes for patients undergoing cardiac ablation procedures.

Products Overview

inHEART’s main product is its proprietary software solution that creates highly detailed 3D models of a patient’s heart using CT and MRI imaging data. Key features of the product include:

  • Cloud-based platform that allows interactive exploration of cardiac anatomy, structures, and tissue characteristics
  • AI-powered segmentation algorithms to generate detailed 3D cardiac models
  • Visualization of cardiac anatomy, collateral structures, and tissue characteristics not available with other tools
  • Seamless integration with major electroanatomic mapping (EAM) systems used during procedures
  • Pre-procedural planning capabilities to optimize ablation strategies
  • FDA clearance and CE Mark certification under MDR

The 3D models provide unprecedented anatomical insights to help physicians personalize and optimize cardiac ablation procedures, particularly for ventricular tachycardia. According to the company, use of their solution can reduce procedure times by 60% and reduce arrhythmia recurrence by 38% compared to conventional approaches.

Founding Team

The founding team of inHEART includes:

  • Jean-Marc Peyrat - Co-founder and CTO
  • Pierre Jaïs - Co-founder and medical advisor

Jean-Marc Peyrat previously served as CEO before transitioning to CTO in 2021. Pierre Jaïs is a renowned cardiologist and researcher who has received several awards for his work in cardiac electrophysiology.

Problem and Market Fit

inHEART aims to address the challenges of planning and executing complex cardiac ablation procedures, particularly for ventricular tachycardia. Traditional approaches rely on limited imaging and mapping data collected during the procedure itself, which can lead to long procedure times and suboptimal outcomes.

By providing highly detailed 3D cardiac models ahead of procedures, inHEART allows physicians to better understand each patient’s unique cardiac anatomy and substrate. This enables more personalized and efficient ablation strategies, potentially improving success rates and reducing procedure times.

The company’s solution targets the growing market for catheter ablation procedures to treat cardiac arrhythmias. With an aging population and increasing prevalence of cardiac conditions, there is a significant need for technologies that can improve the efficacy and efficiency of these interventions.

Business Model

inHEART operates on a software-as-a-service (SaaS) model, providing its cloud-based cardiac modeling solution to hospitals and cardiac care centers. The company likely charges per use of its service to generate 3D cardiac models for individual patients.

Additionally, inHEART has established partnerships and distribution agreements to expand its reach. For example, in May 2024, the company announced a global distribution agreement with Circle Cardiovascular Imaging to market inHEART’s solution through Circle’s worldwide sales network.

Funding and Runway

inHEART has raised several rounds of funding:

  • July 2020: €3.7 million led by Elaia and Aquitaine Science Transfert
  • May 2024: $11 million to support commercial expansion and product development

The company appears to be in a growth phase, using its latest funding to accelerate commercial expansion in key markets and develop new software solutions. The exact runway is not disclosed, but the recent funding should provide resources to execute on near-term plans.

Competitive Landscape

inHEART operates in the competitive medical imaging and cardiac mapping technology space. While the company claims to offer unprecedented anatomical detail and integration capabilities, it likely faces competition from established medical device and imaging companies that provide cardiac mapping and imaging solutions. However, the company’s focus on AI-enabled 3D modeling and pre-procedural planning appears to be a differentiating factor.

Customers

While specific customer names are not provided, inHEART’s solution is used by cardiac electrophysiology centers and hospitals performing complex ablation procedures. The company has received positive testimonials from several prominent electrophysiologists and cardiac centers in Europe and the United States.

Relevant News

Recent notable developments for inHEART include:

  • May 16, 2024: Announced global distribution partnership with Circle Cardiovascular Imaging
  • May 6, 2024: Raised $11 million in funding to accelerate commercial expansion and product development
  • March 19, 2024: Received FDA clearance for an advanced AI-driven software module to optimize 3D cardiac model creation
  • January 11, 2024: Selected to participate in the MEDITWIN consortium in France to advance digital twins in healthcare
  • May 18, 2023: Received CE certification under new MDR for its inHEART MODELS software suite

These developments highlight inHEART’s continued product innovation, regulatory progress, and efforts to expand its market presence and partnerships.

Classification: AI Tier 2

  1. Core AI: Create fundamental AI technologies/base models
  2. AI-Enabled: Core offerings rely on recent AI advances
  3. AI Adopters: Use AI to enhance existing products/services
  4. Non-AI: No AI in products/services

inHEART’s detailed 3D cardiac models and AI-powered segmentation algorithms indicate that the company’s core offerings are fundamentally enabled by recent AI advancements.