SymPhysis Medical Raises €2.2 Million to Advance Breakthrough Device for Palliative Care in Cancer Patients

Galway-based MedTech company SymPhysis Medical recently announced €2.2 million in funding to progress its innovative releaze device, aimed at alleviating the symptoms of malignant pleural effusion (MPE)—a condition impacting half of late-stage cancer patients. The funding will support the company’s journey to secure FDA clearance in the US. 

Supported by EIT Health, SymPhysis Medical participated in the Validation Lab programme in 2021 which helped them establish some valuable clinical contacts. SymPhysis Medical was co-founded by Tim Jones and Dr. Michelle Tierney after they identified MPE as an under-met clinical need during the University of Galway BioInnovate Fellowship in 2017. 

Marc Butterly, Business Development Lead said, “EIT Health is delighted to have supported Michelle and Tim from the outset and welcomes Sympysis’s new funding to empower patients to manage their symptoms with dignity and independence from home.”  

releaze is a minimally invasive home-use drainage device that offers a novel approach to managing malignant pleural effusion, which occurs as fluid accumulated in the chest due to cancer. The condition can cause severe discomfort, pain, and shortness of breath, often requiring frequent hospital visits.

SymPhysis’s co-founder, Dr. Michelle Tierney, noted that current treatment options often fail to fully consider patients’ quality of life, explaining, “Our focus is on empowering patients to manage their symptoms independently. Currently, up to 95% of these patients rely on a family member or healthcare professional to assist with drainage, which means they may have to wait until someone is available. We want to change that by giving them full control, allowing them to drain independently without the need to wait. This independence is critical, as it improves their quality of life and gives them more autonomy in their care.” 

This recent funding round was led by follow-on investments from Irrus Investments, the MedTech Syndicate, Boole Investments, and Enterprise Ireland. It follows prior funding rounds of €1.9 million in 2022 and €1.5 million in December 2023. With the support of key stakeholders, SymPhysis aims to achieve €6.5 million in total funding by year-end. 

Sharing her optimism on the impact releaze will have on patients’ lives, particularly around its ease of use and potential for patient independence, Michelle said, “Our design focuses on usability, and comfort to help patients manage symptoms in a way that aligns with their daily lives, rather than needing frequent hospital support.” 

“This funding is crucial,” Michelle added, “It is a part of a 6.5 million euro round that will allow us to reach our first 10-20 patients in the U.S. It will help us complete development, finalise manufacture of commercial units, submit for FDA clearance, and ultimately, bring the device to patients.” 

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