KOVE medical: Meet the Venture Leader Medtech developing an implantable medical device designed to effectively seal defects resulting from surgical instrument insertion during fetal surgery

12.09.2023 10:56, Rita Longobardi

Meet Yannick Devaud, CEO of KOVA medical. Closing the hole created by the surgical tools used to treat fetuses during pregnancy, the Medtech startup holds promise to decrease dramatically the risk of preterm birth, which is the main obstacle to the development of those interventions.

Name: Yannick Devaud
Location: Zurich
Nationality: Swiss/Brazilian
Graduated from: EPFL/UZH
Job title: CEO
Number of employees: 2
Money raised: CHF 3’100’000
First touchpoint with Venturelab: Venture Kick Stage 3 in 2019



Can you tell us who your product or solution helps, and how?
KOVE enables the closing of the amniotic sac following fetoscopies. Fetoscopies are minimal invasive interventions that treat the fetus in the uterus during pregnancy. Right now, the puncture created by the instruments in the amniotic sac is left open, which leads to preterm birth in most fetoscopies.

What market are you addressing and what is the potential of your startup in that market?
In total, approximately 800,000 fetuses have anomalies that could benefit from fetoscopy. At the moment, around 6,000 surgeries are done every year in the world, as fetoscopy is mainly used in developed countries. With the increase in population, multiplication of fetal treatment centres and standardization of fetoscopy not only in developed countries but also in developing countries, this number will increase over time. We estimate that 20,000 surgeries could make use of our device within 10 years.

How and where did you come up with the idea for your startup?
The University of Zurich and the Unispital of Zurich had an open position to solve the problem of premature rupture of the amniotic sac. Since I was looking for a PhD in translational research, my attention got caught. The topic, the vision, and the possibility to have an impact on many patients at the beginning of their lives convinced me right away.

What do you expect from the Venture Leaders Medtech roadshow, and how will it help you achieve your vision?
I expect to meet potential investors, and stakeholders of the Medtech field and get a precise idea of who to reach out to and when to get into the US market.

What are your team’s key achievements to date?
Miniaturization of the concept, long-term sheep study to demonstrate the efficacy of the implant, raised 3.1 million including 1.8m in non-dilutive grant, extended the KOL network and advisor group, started collaborations with biggest fetal treatment centres in the USA, first meetings with the FDA to get insights on the regulatory route.

What is the most challenging and rewarding aspect of being a founder?
The multitude of tasks of different natures is challenging but also enriching. The loneliness is sometimes due to the rather small team and lack of knowledge in a lot of multifaceted tasks.

What is the most important lesson you have learned as a founder?
Be honest, grateful, giving and take care of your network.

What was your dream job when you were a child?
When I was a child, my dream job was to become a clown with a mission to spread joy, make a positive impact on society, and promote peace throughout the world.
 

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ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Venture Leaders Medtech 2023 were chosen from over 80 applications by an expert jury. The roadshow in Boston provides a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to accelerate their startups' expansion in the US while expanding their professional network and profiting from workshops with investors and industry leaders. This year's Venture Leaders Medtech program is organized by Venturelab in collaboration with Swissnex Boston and is supported by EPFL Lausanne, ETH Zurich, Hansjörg Wyss, Kellerhals Carrard, Swissnex Boston, and the Canton of Vaud.